TT diplomat goes to jail

BISSOON BOODHAI, who enjoyed diplomatic status as the financial accountant at the Trinidad and Tobago High Commission in London, spent last night in jail as he was unable to raise the $100,000 bail granted to him yesterday when he appeared in court charged with conspiracy to traffic cocaine. Boodhai was among the final batch of prisoners to be taken to the Port-of-Spain State Prison around 5 pm yesterday. Although bail was granted earlier in the day, he was unable to secure it. Attempts will be made today to secure bail for Boodhai.

Boodhai, 47, a father of three, appeared before Magistrate Lianne Lee Kim in the Port-of-Spain Fourth Magistrates’ Court, charged jointly with Micah Smith, 32, of  Laventille  Extension Road, Morvant, and Kurt Alexis, 26, of Forres Avenue, Cocoyea Village, San Fernando. Boodhai, who lives at 9 Honeyman Close, Brondebury Park, London, was arrested by members of the Organised Crime and Narcotics Unit (OCNU) under Senior Supt Raymond Craig last Saturday. He was charged by Sgt Robin Nanan. Smith was also arrested over the weekend, while a warrant has been issued for Alexis’ arrest.

Magistrate Lee Kim then read the charge to Boodhai and Smith — that during the period November 30, 2003 and May 8, 2004, in the island of Trinidad and Tobago and elsewhere, conspired with Alexis to traffic a dangerous drug, namely cocaine, contrary to common law. An additional charge was then read to Smith. It was alleged that on May 3, 2004, at Queen’s Park West, he did traffic a dangerous drug, namely cocaine. That charge was laid by Inspector Simon Alexis. Magistrate Lee Kim informed both accused that the charges were laid indictably and they were not called on to plead. The prosecutor then produced a TSTT 2003/2004 directory with a hollow base containing one kilo of cocaine, wrapped in a clear plastic bag. Former Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Rangee Dolsingh SC, who represented Boodhai, told the court that his client was brought down from London for consultation. He said Boodhai was employed with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and enjoyed diplomatic status. He also said his client returned from London with an official (red) passport which has been retained by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Dolsingh applied for bail for Boodhai saying his client has no intentions of running away. He complained that the charge was wrongly laid and asked the magistrate what was the meaning of the words in the charge “elsewhere.” “That charge is bad in law. He was not in the country at that time. How can he conspire when he was not here? In all my years as a prosecutor, I have never heard of such a charge. If the charge was not in Trinidad and Tobago, where else could it be — Timbuktu? He has never had cocaine, here, there, or elsewhere. Tell me, where is this elsewhere, Carrera?” He continued, “I am concerned about this charge, we don’t have charges with the word ‘elsewhere.’ My client has been working in England for the last nine years (although the Ministry in a news release yesterday stated that he has been in London since September 2002). He has protested his innocence. He has an official passport,” Dolsingh added.

Dolsingh said Boodhai has no intention of leaving Trinidad because he wants to clear his name. He said he was awaiting a statement from his client about the alleged incident. Magistrate Lee Kim fixed bail in the sum of $150,000, but Dolsingh asked for a reduction. Bail was eventually reduced to $100,000. Larry Williams appeared for Smith and also applied for bail. He pointed out that Smith was employed with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the last ten years. Bail was also fixed in the sum of $150,000. Both accused are to re-appear in court tomorrow. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a news release, denied that Boodhai was a diplomat. The release stated that Boodhai was a Clerk II, attached to the TT High Commission in London as an accounts officer.