THE GERMAN Embassy remained quiet on Wednesday’s incident in which a diplomat’s husband was found in her vehicle with a licensed gun. Efforts to reach Ambassador Ulrich Nitzschke proved futile. A worker at the Embassy told Newsday that Nitzschke returned from vacation only yesterday and that “he is just settling in and you should try another day. He is very, very busy.” The Embassy’s First Secretary Eric Pintrup also said he could not comment on the matter since it is “under investigation.”
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Strategic Planning and Development) Trevor Paul has already said that the matter will be investigated and properly assessed, and action will be taken “where it is deemed fit.” Northern Division police told Newsday that around 10.30 am Wednesday, officers from the Emergency-999 were on patrol duty when they noticed a Suzuki Vitera vehicle parked in the vicinity of the Racing Circuit, Wallerfield. In it was Frediico De Salarzar Arguello who was asked whether he had anything illegal in his possession. Senior officers said De Salazar replied in the affirmative and produced a firearm. He then said that he was the husband of a diplomat and accompanied the E-999 officers to the La Horquetta Police Station to verify his statements.
SOUTH businessman and former kidnapping victim Saran Kissoondan spent most of yesterday testifying on the witness stand of the First San Fernando Magistrates’ Court, as the preliminary inquiry into his alleged kidnapping earlier this year, continued. Kissoondan, who is the virtual complainant in the matter, was the third witness to testify in the case. Earlier in the inquiry, two policemen testified. Selwyn ‘Robo Cop’ Alexis, Brian Cole, Kevin Simpson and Rooplal Harricharran stand accused of kidnapping Kissoondan on February 23. The four accused men appeared before acting Deputy Chief Magistrate Mark Wellington. Some three weeks ago, a witness in the case, Kevin Richards, was discovered murdered in Central Trinidad. He was at the time, still giving evidence.
The four also face a charge of wrongful imprisonment of Kisoondan. This charge is being heard at the Couva Magistrates’ Court. Attorney Gillian Lucky has been granted a fiat by the Director of Public Prosecutions to appear on behalf of the State in the matter. Alexis and Cole are being represented by attorney Keith Beckles. Kissoondan faced questions from attorney Lucky, as he gave his account of the incident. However Beckles objected to some of the questions, saying they prejudiced the other matter, in which the four accused men are before the Couva Magistrates’ Court. Beckles also questioned the admissibility of such evidence. However Lucky contended, “there is no prejudice that would take place in any other matter, I gave the court that assurance.” Beckles countered by saying that some of the evidence given by Kissoondan, was “related to another case.” Alexis’ mother and other relatives were present in court yesterday. Kissoondan’s relatives are expected to take the witness stand when next the matter is heard. As the matter was adjourned and Alexis was being led back to the holding cell, he wished attorney Lucky, “have a nice day” to which she responded, “you have a nice day too sir.” The case continues on September 29.
A 19-year-old suspect in the $50,000 bank robbery at the Couva branch of First Citizens Bank, was pointed out during an identification parade held at the Chaguanas Police Station yesterday. The man was later handed over to officers of the Couva CID and will appear before a Couva Magistrate today. Warrants have been issued for the arrest of two others. On Monday, three gunmen stormed into the bank and held up three cashiers. They escaped in a waiting car. The suspect was arrested at his Marabella home on Monday night.
Following reports that Faye Alibocus, reigning Miss Trinidad and Tobago/Universe may be dethroned for alleged breach of contract, Newsday made yet another attempt to reach her for a comment on the matter. A telephone call was made to her in New York yesterday, and a male foreign voice answered. When we indicated that Newsday wished to speak with her, the man questioned the reason for calling Alibocus and refused to put her on the line stating that we had to pass through him before getting to her. When told we wanted a comment from Alibocus about being dethroned, if that was in fact so, the man stated that the question should be emailed. He was told that was done on Tuesday and that Alibocus never replied, but the man was adamant in not allowing Alibocus to speak, stating that he could not trust the media and what might eventually be reported.
He said Newsday appeared to be the only paper that has been fair in its reporting so far, but that he couldn’t tell for sure if he was in fact speaking with Newsday. He then repeated that we should email our questions to Alibocus. Newsday for the second time questioned: “Who are you? I have identified myself but here it is, you are refusing to tell me who you are but answering questions on her behalf.” The man stated that unless the Pageant Company’s Marketing Manager Marcia la Borde issued a public release about Alibocus’ status he could not comment. When told that he was not the one we wanted the comment from, but rather from Alibocus, he threatened to cut all conversation with this newspaper and reminded that we were calling his line. Before that though, he did agree that the Pageant Company and Alibocus were currently in negotiations. Newsday later found out that the man is a very close friend of Alibocus, and the one who has taken responsibility for her stay there. Meanwhile Mrs. Alibocus told Newsday yesterday that her daughter is expected back in Trinidad within a few weeks.
NATIONAL Security Minister Howard Chin Lee will address the National Security Council and Cabinet with the aim of persuading Government to buy the technology to detect licence plates and to track the mobility of vehicles throughout Trinidad and Tobago. Chin Lee, speaking about his recent trip to England, said he was particularly interested in these two areas since they can be applied against crimes such as armed robbery, kidnapping as well as minor infractions such as traffic violations. “My intent is to advance our systems by using this type of technology,” he said. While declining to give a time frame for purchasing this technology, he assured that it would be done “in the shortst possible time.”
The camera surveillance system, which is being used by about 25 countries, recognises licence plates by configuring the numbers into a programme. He added that it involves having a data-base of all vehicles in the country and information on their owners. He said that the fees paid for traffic violations normally pays for the system. Chin Lee was speaking at a post-Cabinet news conference at Whitehall yesterday. The Minister also announced that Cabinet approved two Off-Shore Patrol Vehicles (OPVs) for the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard.
Noting that there was a need for a capable Coast Guard unit, Chin Lee said these vehicles are expected to play a significant role in the war on illegal trade and safety of the sea especially in the context of expansion of off-shore activities in oil and natural gas. Chin Lee said he visited London Police Training College where, along with Acting ACP Crime James Philbert (Criminal Intelligence and Investigations), he was briefed on criminal investigations with specific reference to kidnapping. He said the team he led actually saw closed circuit TV surveillance used in crime fighting. He also explored training opportunities for Defence Force personnel and witnessed a simulation exercise employing techniques which could be used in Trinidad and Tobago.
THE INVESTIGATION into the circumstances which led to an increased incidence of the enterobacter bacteria at the neo-natal unit at Mt Hope Women’s Hospital is still ongoing. Newsday learnt that quality manager for the Health Ministry Valerie Rawlins visited the hospital this week and conducted interviews with staff. She also interviewed Medical Chief of Staff Dr Esau Joseph, who was quizzed three days ago, and the matron. Staff at the neonatal unit, and auxiliary staff (cleaners) are expected to be interviewed.
Health Minister Colm Imbert could not be reached for comment on the issue yesterday. Last Friday he announced that “by Monday afternoon we will know what happened and who is responsible.” The investigation will also seek to determine if the deaths of 15 babies in August was linked to unsanitary conditions at the hospital. Ten babies were relocated last Tuesday to allow for a thorough sanitsation exercise to be conducted at the neonatal unit and surrounding areas. The Labour and Delivery units were also cleaned.
The Government is considering a “serious suggestion” that the Unit Trust Corporation be merged with First Citizens Bank, Prime Minister Patrick Manning revealed yesterday. He also disclosed that the UTC Board had re-apppointed Clarry Benn as Executive Director. But the Minister of Finance (who is the Prime Minister) has specified that this appointment be for six months. This gives the company enough time to put succession arrangements in place, Manning stated, adding that while the Minister of Finance, cannot decide on who the Executive Director is, he can specify a term of office for the office-holder. He said Government was trying to streamline the corporate arrangements before deciding whether the company should go public or be merged with FCB.
Officials at UTC declined comment while FCB’s Larry Howai could not be reached yesterday. Explaining why he sought to limit Benn’s term as Executive Director, Manning stressed that it had nothing to do with politics. He said Government believed that when the time comes for retirement individuals ought to retire, unless there were overriding considerations. Told that Government had persons like Ken Julien, Ken Gordon and others in serious consultancy positions who were over 60, Manning said they were not employed by the State. The Prime Minister declined to comment on the statements made by the Chief Justice, saying that constitution reform was on the agenda and that at the appropriate time Government would consider all the relevant issues, including the comments made by the Chief Justice. He said the law gave the Prime Minister that power over silk and under it change must exist, but it would be considered in the context of constitution reform.
He said Government would not engage in this reform on a piecemeal basis, but in a comprehensive manner, involving the views of the population. On the question of the inadequacy of resources to the judiciary and the DPP which the CJ raised, Manning said they were not the only departments in that position. “We get constant request for the expansion of staff (from all departments) and not being able to satisfy all those requirements, government must determine what its priorities must be,” he said. Manning, who stated that the Budget would be delivered in early October, said that from October 1 anybody who receives an NIB benefit which is less than $1,000, would have it brought up to that level. The Prime Minister also “put on the table” that OWTU, which said it was interested in employing former Caroni workers, had requested 50,000 acres of Caroni land.
The Prime Minister defended Minister of Health Colm Imbert’s comments in the House of Representatives last Friday in speaking about the death of babies at Mount Hope Hospital. “It is a debate,” he said, adding that sometimes he wondered what people expected of Parliament. He said if a case is put forward by the Opposition, the Government had a responsibility to comprehensively reply. On Government’s bid to get the FTA headquarters, Manning said it now had the votes of 17 countries. It needs 18 to win.
A San Juan businessman who does wholesale business with household items such as stoves, regrigerators freezers, and microwaves recei-ved a shock yesterday, when he was called to the Chaguanas Police Station and shown a truck filled with items valued over $500,000 which were stolen from his warehouse. Vijay Lutchman, the owner of the warehouse, expressed surprise that the police were able to recover the stolen items before it was ever reported stolen or missing.
Lutchman expressed relief that his items were recovered and heaped praise on officers of Central Division for their surveillance work and intelligence gathering, which led to the recovery of the items and the arrest of 15 persons, including five women and seven men. Lutchman said he was not even aware that the items were stolen. He later produced documents to identify the items seized by the police. All the suspects were handed over to officers of the Barataria Police Station. Reports revealed that early yesterday, a party of officers led by Ag Sgt Ajith Persad, and including PCs Ramsook, Dhanai, Sinanan, Narcis, Williams and others raided homes in Warrenville, Cunupia, Caparo, Beju-cal, Macoya, Curepe and Tacarigua where they seized a quantity of the items.
The items were stolen from the El Socorro warehouse between October last year and last week. Officers acting on information carried out surveillance at the home of a Caroni man. They later received key information that heavy duty refrigerators washing ma-chines and other items stolen from the El Socorro warehouse were being sold to persons at less than half of the original price. The information was later passed on to ACP Operations, Oswyn Alla-rd. The exercise which started on Wednesday ended yesterday. The seized items were photographed and later handed over to the owner. A 32-year-old employee of the warehouse was up to late yesterday assisting officers of the Central Division. Newsday learned that more items are yet to be recovered and more arrests are imminent.
ACTING Commissioner of Police Everald Snaggs is said to have brought a “breath of fresh air” to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) since he assumed the position on July 15 of this year. Chairman of the Police Service Commission Kenneth Lalla made this remark yesterday during an impromptu press conference at the Service Commission’s Building, St Vincent Street, Port-of-Spain. Lalla said since the Commissioner of Police came on board, it is quite clear that Snaggs and the Minister of National Security have been able to mobilise the resources and take control of the management of the Police Service.
The PSC chairman said further that any perceptions that the Commission had managed the Police Service, ought to be demolished. “Both the Minister and the Acting Commissioner of Police have been able to mobilise the Police Service without any interference of the Commission,” Lalla said. Lalla continued that past Commissioners of Police had complained that they were “toothless bulldogs” with limited powers to manage. But Lalla charged that the Police Service Commission is only in charge of appointments, promotions, discipline, confirmation and removal of officers.
DIRECTOR of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Geoffrey Henderson is expected to make a decision today on whether a police constable would face criminal charges in connection with the death of Shaun McLeod. Yesterday, the 25-year-old policeman, who has less than three years service, was placed before an identification parade at the Marabella Police Station, following which, Southern Homicide Bureau officers sent the case file to the acting Commissioner of Police (CoP) Everald Snaggs. The DPP is expected to receive the file this morning. Sources told Newsday that the officer could very well face a manslaughter charge.
McLeod, 23, died within half-an-hour after he was arrested by Southern Division police for obscene language, on September 5. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the San Fernando General Hospital. Eyewitnesses told senior investigators that McLeod, father of a two-month-old baby boy, of South Oropouche, was beaten by four officers who had tried to handcuff him on a lamp-post on Library Corner, San Fernando.
