Caroni CEO’s desk, seat seized

Caroni Chief Executive Officer Deosaran Jagroo, was hardest hit when his desk, chair, conference table and even his car were seized from his Brechin Castle, Couva offices. Marshalls of the High Court in San Fernando, accompanied by Couva police moved in to execute the levy.

It was at about 8.30 am when three High Court marshalls, manager of Caroni (Brechin Castle) Credit Union Co-operative Society Ltd, attorney Dave Persad and policemen, swooped down on Caroni’s administrative offices.

A Writ of Execution stated the credit union was authorised to levy on Caroni’s assets and chattels amounting to $2,093,403.09, on a judgment of Justice Peter Jamadar. The judgment resulted from a High Court case filed by the credit union on August 11, 2003, claiming $7 million.

The sum represents monies which Caroni ought to have deducted from sugar workers’ VSEP packages. Caroni paid part of the $7 million, but on April 28, Jamadar ordered by consent (between Caroni Brechin Castle Credit Union Co-operative Society Limited vs Caroni (1975) Limited), that judgment be entered for — $1,444,502.37, at one percent interest from August 1, 2003.

Last week Monday, the credit union’s attorney filed a writ to execute the judgment by way of levy. Yesterday, after a marshall read the execution order to a secretary at Brechin Castle offices, the secretary telephoned Jagroo.

Upon arrival, Jagroo hurried the three marshalls and the credit union manager Vishnu Lucky, into his offices. The marshall emerged 45 minutes later and issued intructions to execute a “walk-in” levy for $2,093.403.09.

The marshalls then moved into Jagroo’s offices and also tagged his desk, chair, filing cabinet and conference table. The CEO, who is currently overseeing transfer of the defunct company into the Sugar Manufacturing Company of Trinidad and Tobago, was clearly embarrassed. He took up his personal black brief bag and gave way to the marshalls.

Speaking to Newsday afterwards, Jagroo said the company agreed to honour the debt. When Newsday left the scene, the cheque was being prepared to be sent to the Ministry of Finance for signatures. Persad said that the goods and chattels would be considered levied upon until payment is made.