Venezuelans held after high seas collision

The incident occurred Tuesday night when Coast Guard officers attempted to detain a 25-foot pirogue seen sailing in the waters off Orange Valley, Couva. Police said the Coast Guard vessel “Midnight Express Interceptor” pursued the pirogue, and during the pursuit the pirogue crashed into the Coast Guard vessel.

The officers took five Venezuelan men into custody and impounded the pirogue. The captain, Thomas Hernandez, 38, of Carapuna, was charged with malicious damage of government property for the $22,000 in damage done to the Coast Guard’s vessel.

Hernandez was charged by Cpl Bobby Noyan and appeared before Justice of the Peace Ramona Basdeo in the Couva Magistrates Court on Friday. He was remanded in custody until Monday.

The four other Venezuelan men are to be handed over to the immigration authorities.

Couva Police are continuing investigations.