11th suspect held in ‘Balo’ murder

According to reports, about midnight, a party of officers executed a search warrant at the home of the suspect and arrested him. After being interrogated by CID officers, the suspect was handed over to the Homicide Bureau for further questioning.

Newsday learnt that an application will be made in the courts for the man to be extradited to the United States to face charges. The exercise yesterday was led by Cpl Alexander and included PCs Reyes, Pitre, Gosein, Toney and WPC Date.

Maharaj, 62, a Vietnam war veteran, was abducted on April 6, 2005 while at the Samaan Tree Bar in Aranjuez. He was in Trinidad visiting relatives at Chandy Lane in El Socorro. His body was found in the forests in Santa Cruz on January 8.

Officers of the Federal Bureau of Investigation assisted TT Homicide Bureau investigators in the probe which resulted in the arrest of ten suspects. Six of those ten suspects, including two soldiers, have since been charged with Maharaj’s kidnapping and murder.