$.95M bail for cop held with guns, drugs

A police officer with 15 years service wept openly yesterday in the Tunapuna Magistrates’ Court, while charges laid against him in a matter were read aloud by a magistrate. Four indictable charges were laid against PC David Wellington and his 22-year-old common-law wife, Rika Samuel, who were both arrested by officers of the Firearm Interdiction Unit Thursday morning at their Curepe home. Standing in the docks of the Tunapuna Third Court, the officer and the co-accused looked on with blank expressions as Magistrate Anna Ryan read the charges to them. With a towel in his hand, the arrested officer buried his face in his hands, crying uncontrollably from time to time. The charges for both accused read possession of a firearm, two shotguns and one rifle. Another charge was for possession of five hand grenades.

Wellington and his companion were also charged for possession of 66 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 52 rounds of .38 ammunition, seven rounds of .38 special ammunition, 57 rounds of 5.56 ammunition, 14 rounds of 303 ammunition, one round of .38 ammunition, two 5.56 shells, two 16-gauge cartridges, 21 12-gauge cartridges, and four rounds of 7.62 ammunition. The fourth charge was for possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. Representing both accused was attorney Om Lalla, who immediately made an application for bail for his clients. Speaking on behalf of Wellington, Lalla reminded the Magistrate that his client had 15 years service with the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service. During his service as a police officer, Lalla said his client maintained an unblemished record and also had no previous convictions. Lalla also told the magistrate while he was aware of the seriousness of the offence, he wished for her to be mindful of the fact that the offence was a bailable one.

Speaking on behalf of Samuel, Lalla told the magistrate that she was unemployed and also did not have any previous convictions. A trace had not yet been done by the investigating officers to determine whether the accused had any previous convictions and as a result, the police prosecution objected strongly to bail being granted to the two accused. Addressing the court was police prosecutor PC Edward Ralph who told Ryan, “this is a very serious offence and the quantum is tremendous. What we are seeing here is several rounds of ammunition along with different weapons, all of a different calibre. Not to mention a tracing has not yet been done. I strongly object to bail in this matter.” After deliberating for some time, the magistrate announced that Wellington was granted bail with a surety in the sum of $950,000. The officer was also told to surrender all travel documents and was ordered to visit the St Joseph Police Station four days a week at 9 am. He was also told to surrender his police ID as well. However, Samuel was denied bail and remanded into custody pending a tracing.

Speaking to Newsday after the court matter, attorney Lalla said it was highly unlikely that Wellington would secure bail over the weekend. Securing bail, according to Lalla, would be extremely difficult taking into consideration the sum granted and the fact that the matter ended shortly after 4 pm yesterday. “The registry usually closes at 3.30 pm, and even if they do get a bailor, the place to process the documents is already closed. Maybe over the weekend his relatives would get advice from a Justice of the Peace who might be able to assist them,” Lalla said. Wellington and Samuel were held on Thursday at about 5:15 am following surveillance of their home for some time by officers of the Firearm Interdiction Unit. During an exercise headed by Insp Mitchell Manswell, the couple was arrested and charged after officers found the illegal items in the couple’s possession. The matter was adjourned to September 23.