ACTING Commissioner of Police Everald Snaggs has taken a hard line on his officers on their investigations so far in the discovery of millions of dollars in high-grade cocaine between Manzanilla and Mayaro, and also the discovery of four bodies last week. As a consequence, Snaggs told Newsday he has ordered the Organised Crime and Narcotic Unit (OCNU) to do an audit into all the drugs that have surfaced so far. The instructions were given over the long Independence Day weekend during an emergency meeting which included members of the Homicide, OCNU, Eastern, South Western and Central Divisions. Also present were Deputy Commissioners of Police Trevor Paul and Glen Roach, Assistant Commissioners of Police James Philbert and Oswyn Allard.
A senior OCNU official told Newsday yesterday that a special team of officers began the audit on Monday, and it is expected to be completed by the end of the week with suggestions that the unit ought to be informed as soon as anything of that nature occurs in the country. “OCNU was not aware of the incident until the Sunday night, hours after the drugs washed ashore,” the OCNU official said. Snaggs has also ordered the OCNU to do an international check as to the origin of the drugs. Sources said there were different markings on the drugs, suggesting that the parcels may have come from different countries. Newsday was also reliably informed that there appears to be an Antiguan connection in the million dollar drug seizure. A high-ranking Antiguan official contacted senior police officers here regarding one of the four bodies, top-ranking police officers told Newsday. The body is believed to be that of Allan Tahir. Police sources told Newsday that an Antiguan is supposed to come to this country to positively identify the body, one of two that surfaced in East Trinidad. There are alo reports are that two Grenadian nationals are missing.
During the emergency meeting, Snaggs also instructed members of the Eastern, South Western and Central Divisions to investigate the matter from a local angle. Over the past week several packages of high-grade cocaine have been surfacing or seen floating in waters off East and South Trinidad coasts. Adding to the mystery is the discovery of four bodies, two in the East and two in the West, between last Monday and Saturday. Senior police officers are of the opinion that the discoveries are connected. None of the bodies has been positively identified, but police sources said one of those found in Chaguaramas was identified through fingerprints as Christopher Francis Benjamin of Picton Road, Laventille, and Arima. Up to late evening his relatives had not come forward to physically identify him, Carenage Police said.
“IF I GET one billion dollars today, I can guarantee you that all of the roads in Trinidad and Tobago will be paved.” This was the bold statement from Works and Transport Minister Franklyn Khan as he spoke to reporters yesterday, following the commissioning of the Solomon Hochoy Highway extension. With the 2004 budget date yet to be announced, Khan said this figure ($1B) was the amount needed for an upgrade of the nation’s road infrastructural network. The Solomon Hochoy Highway extension runs from Tarouba to Golconda. Khan, who faced a barrage of questions concerning the spate of nationwide protests over deteriorating road conditions, said that in spite of the massive road repair works undertaken by Government, “there were still a few roads in this country that are still in a deplorable condition.”
And, in response to the protest action by Bamboo settlement residents over the change in traffic regulations leading into the community, Khan said that the old traffic regulations would be continued until residents’ concerns had been “properly aired”. He added that St Joseph MP, Gerald Yetming, had also been invited to join in the discussions. “I have put back the status quo at Bamboo settlement until the residents have met with the Traffic management and the Traffic Branch of the Police Service,” he said. He added that a meeting between residents and the Chief Traffic Engineer, together with the Assistant Commissioner of Traffic, had been scheduled for 10 am today at the Port-of-Spain offices of the Ministry of Works and Transport. Khan also sought to “clear up” the misconceptions concerning repairs to the Cunapo Road, Biche, saying that the contents of the letter had been “misinterpreted” by residents and promised that by the end of 2003, residents would see the remaining two thirds of the roadway paved.
Meanwhile in his official address, Khan promised to introduce a “zero-tolerance” policy on structures that infringed on the highway code. He said that these illegal structures “impede” accessibility to the highways and were a general safety hazard to motorists. Khan also made an impassioned plea for a stop to the carnage on the nation’s highways, saying the Ministry would soon institute a massive road safety educational drive. He also revealed that American-style rest stops will also be introduced along the nation’s highways in the coming fiscal year.
PRIME Minister Patrick Manning has promised a massive upgrade of the nation’s roadways over the next five years. He was addressing the formal commissioning of the Solomon Hochoy Highway from Tarouba to Golconda yesterday. Manning, who thanked residents for their patience over the two-year-long construction work, said that the country could expect a similar exercise over the coming years. “Over the next 48 to 60 months, your patriotism will again be tested, albeit in a rather positive way and out of some necessity with respect to the implementation of what might very well be the most expansive road transportation taking place in the English-speaking Caribbean over the period,” he said.
He observed that by July 2004, some 71.15 kilometres of refurbished roads would have been completed by the PNM administration. The Prime Minister also revealed that phase two of the highway extension project would see its extension to Point Fortin in the deep South and Mayaro in the east. Afterwards, the Prime Minister was asked whether he was willing to reveal the date for the 2004 budget date. He said that the date would be known in due time. Also attending the opening were Education Minister, Hazel Manning; House Speaker, Barry Sinanan; Professor Compton Bourne, IDB representative and Petrotrin chairman, Malcolm Jones.
BWIA is so determined to drive Caribbean Star off the Tobago airbridge that it has called for an unprecedented public hearing on the matter. According to Ram Bissessar, Chairman of the Air Transport Licensing Authority (ATLA), the call for a public hearing was made at a recent meeting of the Authority. BWIA has been joined in its call by Tobago Express and a Tobago hotelier, Allan Clovis. This is the first time in the aviation history of the country that a public hearing will be called to resolve a licensing issue. Several years ago, plans for a similar hearing fell through. At that time the now defunct Air Caribbean was servicing the airbridge. Antigua-based Caribbean Star was granted a provisional licence by ATLA to operate some four and a half flights a day on the airbridge earlier this year.
At that time there were howls of protests from both BWIA and Tobago Express in which it was claimed that there was enough capacity on the route and there was no need for an additional carrier being given rights to operate, especially since that carrier was foreign owned. However, officials at the Tobago House of Assembly and passengers who use the airbridge regularly have been full of praise for the service now being offered by Caribbean Star, moreso on holiday weekends when there was absolute need for increased capacity on the route. As recently as this past Independence weekend, Caribbean Star mounted extra sections to handle the number of requests it had received for seats on the airbridge. A similar situation existed over the Emancipation weekend. A spokesman for caribbean Star said that his airline was able to provide enhancements which Tobago Express was not able to. He explained that Caribbean Star’s flights are available to travel agents locally as well as worldwide and this assists Tobago in selling its tourism product anywhere in the world.
Caribbean Star is a relatively new airline, which began flying regional routes in October, 2000, and has grown rapidly over the last three years as it now links 14 destinations between Tortola in the north and Guyana in the south. Although no date has been fixed for the hearing, Bissessar said that it would be held by the middle of September. If the result of the public hearing demands that the provisional licence granted Caribbean Star be revoked, it would mean decreased capacity on the airbridge, which would become evident during the busier travel seasons and holiday weekends.
BLEEDING from a gunshot wound sustained during a shootout with police in Oropouche on Monday, a 22-year-old man was arrested by police who found him hiding in a forested area yesterday. Some twelve hours after the shoot-out. His two accomplices are still at large. According to police reports, around 9 am, a party of officers led by Sgt Adhar spotted the suspect while searching a forested area at St John’s Village, Oropouche, a short distance away from where the shooting incident took place. Wearing a blood-soaked pants, the man was crouched by a tree in a forested area behind a church. The suspect was arrested and taken for medical treatment at the San Fernando General Hospital.
Following this, the suspect was handed over to officers of the San Fernando CID to be placed on identification parades in connection with larceny of cars and other offences. The suspect is likely to be charged with a series of offences arising out of the incident, including larceny of a motor vehicle and shooting with intent. The 22-year-old suspect was shot following a high-speed chase which ensued after police spotted three people travelling in a stolen vehicle. The chase ended after the car skidded off the road and slammed into a concrete house at St John’s Branch Road. Following this, there was an exchange of gun fire between the bandits and the police, causing the residents of the house to run for cover. Eventually the suspects, including the injured man, ran through some nearby bushes and escaped. Investigations are continuing.
THE PORT Authority has advised that regular sailing to Tobago via the MV Panorama has been cancelled today to allow the vessel’s crew the opportunity to attend the funeral service of their late co-worker Uwaine Anthony. Anthony was killed in a freak accident aboard the Panorama last Friday. Speaking to Newsday yesterday, Public Relations Manager of the Port Authority Betty-Ann Gibbons, assured that arrangements were being made for ticket-holders to travel via the Beauport, which continues to make its regular trips to Tobago. The Beauport made its regular voyage from Port-of-Spain to Tobago at 2 pm and from Scarborough to PoS at 11 pm last evening. The vessel will also sail today at the regular departure times.
Asked if the increased flow of passengers from the MV Panorama would affect ticket sales or cause over-booking, Gibbons explained that there should be enough room aboard the vessel since the peak season is now officially over. Port Authority explained in a release that regular sailing had to be cancelled to facilitate a request by the Panorama’s crew to attend their colleague’s funeral, which will be held today at the Church of God, Woodbrook, at 9 am. The body will then be taken to the Belgrove Crematorium at Trincity. Anthony, 35, of North Valsayn, lost his life on Friday when part of the cable to the vehicle ramp in the Panorama’s cargo area snapped, pinning him to the ground. In the release, the authority apologised to its passengers for any inconvenience caused by the cancellation and assured that the Panorama’s regular sailing will resume tomorrow.
AFTER almost a month of “on-and-off” negotiations between Petrotrin and OWTU officials, workers at Trinmar Operations (Marine Base) once again brought the State-owned oil exploration company to a virtual stand-still for almost six hours yesterday. From as early as 6 am, some 800 workers, comprising those with temporary and casual status, downed tools in protest and waved dark-blue union flags while chanting the battle hymn, “We shall overcome” at the company’s main gates. According to OWTU branch president Ancil Roget, workers had “had enough” of the company’s “reluctance” to engage in meaningful discussions with the union on salary increases.
Roget pointed out that while the union had originally proposed a 25 percent “across-the board” wage increase for all categories of workers, the proposal had been reduced to a 22 percent increase after the union conducted a series of bilateral talks with company officials. He said that unlike past negotiations where the union had agreed to a lower wage increase, the union was fully prepared to justify its call for the wage increase. The company has, however, maintained an offer of a five percent wage increase. Workers are not prepared to accept this. type of reluctance on the path of the company to continue negotiations, which are now progressing at an extremely slow pace,” Roget said. He added that the contentious “Trinmar governance issue” also had a bearing on the slow pace of negotiations, saying the company’s management officials were being issued instructions from “obstructionist” Petrotrin officials. “Trinmar has the wherewithal to successfully conclude these negotiations but because they are taking instructions from Petrotrin, everything has ground to a halt,” Roget said, adding that severance from Petrotrin was the only option for the company to maintain its viability in the energy sector. “The only way to ensure good governance at Trinmar is to operate as a separate entity from Petrotrin.” Union officials are expected to meet with Petrotrin representatives today in an effort to resolve the current impasse which had also brought work to a standstill at the facility during the months of June and July.
AN ARMY Major who is alleged to have caused a furore last Friday at the St James branch of First Citizens Bank (FCB) has been asked to submit a report through his Commanding Officer, Captain Cheryl Richardson, Public Affairs Officer of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF) told Newsday yesterday. Captain Richardson also said that they have also asked the FCB for a report on the incident, and that if necessary, internal disciplinary action could be taken against the Army Major. Western Division police also told Newsday that they are yet to receive an official statement from the FCB on the matter, but that they are investigating the matter, since “a call was made” to the station.
The army Major reportedly caused a furore at the St James arm of the First Citizens Bank (FCB) on Friday. He reportedly brandished a firearm and threatened to blow up the bank. The incident is alleged to have occurred after the army man went to the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) to access funds. However, sources said, his account came up empty. Sources said the man then went to the bank, which was closed. He reportedly banged on the door before going to his car and returned with his own gun. A security officer inside the bank put his hand over his firearm. A contingent of army vehicles a well as police officers were soon seen outside the bank, as hurried repairs were made to the bank’s glass facade.
Due to ongoing repairs, which began during the school vacation and which will continue until next week, the following schools will remain closed:
* La Puerta Government Primary — may be open by Sept 8
* St Magaret’s Boys’ Anglican — may be open by Sept 8
* Melville Memorial Anglican — may be open by Sept 8
* St Barb’s Government Primary — may be open by Sept 8
* Eastern Boys of George Street, Port-of Spain
* Paramin Roman Catholic — alternative accommodations found at La Finette Road to house the school’s 157 students and staff.
* California Government Primary — construction work still ongoing
* Brasso Venado Government Primary — construction still ongoing
* Palmiste Government – extensive repairs to buildings and grounds. Classes to resume tomorrow.
* Las Cuevas Government — painting to be finished in three days.
* Five Rivers Hindu — roof still under repairs.
* Cap de Ville Government — Standards IV and V already at school. Others students to return to classes by the end of the week.
* Cunapo (St Francis) Roman Catholic — construction of a filtration system at the school. Classes expected to resume by Sept 8.
* La Romaine Roman Catholic — infrastructural work on the school compound being done.
The Ministry will advise on the re-opening dates for the schools.
ALMOST 20 hours after a Princes Town man went missing in the sea off Mayaro, his body washed ashore during the early morning hours yesterday, police said. The body of Stevie Siewnarine, 21, was found on a beach around 5 am, almost half a mile from where he disappeared while swimming in the sea off Bon Espoire Road on Monday morning. Siewnarine, of Garth Road, was spending the long weekend with relatives at Bon Espoire Road where they had rented a beach house. His sister, Joanne, who was also on the beach lime, said that on Sunday evening, the family felt strong underwater currents while they were bathing. She said the next day, around 8 am, Siewnarine, who was not a good swimmer, went to the beach with a broken surf board.
Siewnarine’s mother, Leela, told Newsday, “We heard he went down and then resurfaced about two or three times before he went under and he didn’t come back up.” She and other relatives journeyed to Mayaro yesterday to identify the body. Joanne said her older brother was one of the breadwinners in the family since their father died seven years ago. “We are not very wealthy and he was a very ambitious person. He had plans to get back on his feet after getting VSEP from Caroni.” The body was ordered removed from the beach by the District Medical Officer. Up to late yesterday, efforts were being made to have an autopsy carried out on the body. Cpl Ghany and PC Didanath, both of Mayaro police station, are continuing investigations.
