Jury visits scene in San Fernando

THE trial in the Port-of-Spain Assizes of Venezuelan National Oswaldo Carillo for possession of $5 million worth of cocaine shifted to the South coast overlooking the Gulf of Paria yesterday, as the trial judge, jury, the accused and lawyers visited the scene of the alleged crime. Justice Malcolm Holdip took evidence from two detectives from the Organised Crime and Narcotics Unit (OCNU), who pointed out the spot at Lady Hailes Avenue San Fernando, where they arrested Carillo. Carillo, of Sucra Estate, Wailia in Guiria, Venezuela is accused of accepting a white bag from men in a pirogue who pulled up along the Lady Hailes shoreline around 10 pm on May 1 2000. The State contends the men in the pirogue allegedly fired shots at OCNU police.

Shortly before midday, Justice Holdip, attorneys, High Court registrars and marshals, the jury and a contingent of heavily-armed policemen arrived from Port-of-Spain at Lady Hailes Avenue in a bus. The judge convened court in the condemned WASA maintenance compound. Traffic came to a halt as curious onlookers gathered as the judge, jury, Carillo and attorneys were escorted towards the seafront. OCNU officers PC Mason and Bristol testified and pointed to the spot where they arrested Carillo. They were cross-examined by Carillo’s attorney Ian Brook. State Attorney Sheron Raphael, who is prosecuting the case, also questioned the witnesses. The court was then convened near the Roodal Cemetery and it was there that accused Carillo testified that he was arrested. The trial continues in the Fourth Assizes today, when attorneys will address the jury.