Fake kidnappers denied bail

Two men yesterday appeared before a Port-of-Spain magistrate charged with negotiating and receiving a ransom demand from Jawahir Deosaran, father of kidnap victim Rodney Deosaran. Charged are 27-year-old Devon George of Todds Road, Caparo, and 32-year-old Christopher Smith of Macoya. The charges were laid by Cpl Anthony Williams of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad (AKS). Reports state both men contacted the father of the kidnap victim last week Thursday and told him they had information on the whereabouts of his son. After negotiating for the sum of $25,000, the men allegedly promised the safe return of 31-year-old Rodney Deosaran. After Deosaran negotiated the “ransom,” he contacted the AKS who set up a sting operation.

Following instructions from the persons demanding the money, Deosaran dropped off the money in a bin at Macoya on Thursday night. This was done while members of the AKS monitored the situation. After collecting the  money, the two men were held on Saturday while spending the money purchasing cellular phones and clothing. When the men appeared in court yesterday, they were not called on to plead as the charges were laid indictably. Both men were also denied bail. They will reappear tomorrow at the Tunapuna Magistrates’ Court, where the matter was transferred.