THE DEFENCE representing five Venezuelans on trial for trafficking 687.2 kilogrammes of marijuana, yesterday cross-examined two officers of the Organised Crime and Narcotics Unit (OCNU), for most of the day’s hearing in the San Fernando Fourth Criminal Assizes. The battery of defence attorneys — comprising Vernon De Lima, Joseph Pantor, Ian Gray and Farraz Mohammed — kept Sgt Edward Castillo and PC Cassius Bristol on the witness stand before the mixed jury hearing the case.
On trial are Hamilton Guiterez, Miguel Alberto Pino, Jesus Inocente Hernandez, Amancio Angel Castillo Garcia, and Ismael Brito Pino, before Justice Malcolm Holdip in the Fourth Criminal Court. Ismael Brito Pino was additionally charged with posession of a Smith and Wesson pistol and 13 rounds of ammunition. The five were arrested on May 30, 2000, at the Mosquito Creek, South Oropouche, by a team from the Organised Crime and Narcotics Unit (OCNU), led by Sargeant Castillo. The State’s case is that the five Venezuelans were held during an OCNU stake-out operation in near to the Mosquito Creek. According to the State, the policemen took up strategic positions on the river banks while a Coast Guard vessel waited in the Gulf of Paria near the Godineau Bridge. Around 2.40 am a boat was seen approaching the Creek, and after a exchange of gunfire, police intercepted the foreign vessel. Police arrested the five Venezuelans after searching the boat. They allegedly found 687.2 kilogrammes of marijuana on board. The trial continues today.
A 27-YEAR-OLD man was warded at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital (PoSGH) up to late yesterday after he was shot in his right leg on Wednesday night. Police said at around 8 pm Anderson Ross, of Malabar, was standing on a basketball court at Banyan Boulevard, Malabar, when a white vehicle pulled up. Ross heard a loud explosion and began running, during which time he heard another shot. Ross then felt a burning sensation in his right leg. The white vehicle then sped off. Ross was rushed to the Arima Hospital, but was later transferred to Port-of-Spain. No motive was established for the shooting and no arrests had been made up to late yesterday. PC Groomes of the Arima CID is continuing investigations.
ST JOHN’S: Pepsi has renewed its sponsorship of the West Indies and remains the official soft drink of West Indies cricket. Representatives of PepsiCo Beverages International and the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) last week signed a multi-year sponsorship agreement that will extend the relationship between this manufacturer of several popular brands of soft drink and the region’s most popular sport. WICB Chief Executive Officer, Roger Brathwaite, expressed satisfaction with the renewal of Pepsi’s sponsorship. “Pepsi has been an excellent partner for West Indies Cricket since 1998,” remarked Brathwaite. “We have particularly appreciated their approach to leveraging their sponsorship through innovative advertising campaigns featuring our younger players.
“The bright and lively image of Pepsi — the choice of people who ask for more out of their lives — is an excellent match with the youthful and talented West Indies team. The renewal of an agreement like this with a major international brand also demonstrates the marketability of our Windies Cricket brand.” Kelly Killian of PBI said that Pepsi was very proud of its association with the West Indies cricket team. “We are extremely delighted even more so in the light of our historic win in Antigua, where the team truly demonstrated what Ask For More Out Of Life really means,” Killian said. PepsiCo Beverages International is a division of PepsiCo Inc, based in Purchase, New York and operating in more than 170 countries outside of the United States and Canada.
DEFENCE FORCE, one of the most feared teams in local football, continued their miserable form in the TT Pro League, crashing to their third successive defeat — 9-1 against defending champs CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh on Wednesday night. The 200 supporters at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo, including national players Stern John, Brent Sancho and ex-Defence Force striker Jason Scotland were in awe at the aggressive display by Jabloteh against a clearly unfit and ragged Army-Coast Guard combination. But W Connection registered their third straight win with a 4-0 whipping of Arima Fire at the Ato Boldon Stadium, with goals from Silvio Spann, Gefferson Goulart, Earl Jean and George Isaac.
Guyanese midfielder Randolph Jerome got the lone item for North East Stars, who edged Tobago United 1-0 at the Larry Gomes Stadium while Bevon Lewis netted a double as South West Institute of Football (SWIF) pipped “the Stallions” Caledonia AIA 2-1 at Palo Seco. And Joe Public needed a late equaliser from national defender Keyeno Thomas to draw 2-2 against Starworld Strikers at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium. Andre Charles and Sean Julien were on target for the Southerners while Nigel “Croc” Pierre scored the first goal for the “Eastern Lions.” The evergreen Angus Eve opened the scoring for Jabloteh, with a deflected eight-minute freekick, while Cornell Glen doubled the lead in the 31st, collecting a Josh Johnson centre and slamming home from close range.
Glen netted his second goal after 40 minutes, with acres of space in the middle, the diminutive striker blasted his right-footer past the hapless D/Force goalkeeper, Marlon Sylvester. The floodgates opened in the second half, with ex-TT captain Travis Mulraine sent clear by Eve and chipping the flat-footed Sylvester in the 48th. D/Force midfielder Kurt Williams netted an own-goal in the 56th, following a long run on the left flank by Kerry Noray, Williams tamely rolled the ball back into his net, while substitute Kerry Baptiste netted the team’s sixth four minutes later, tapping home from a Kerry Noray centre.
Eve notched his second in the 69th, Baptiste completed his hat-trick with goals in the 86th and 88th, while Sherman “Ants” Phillip scored Defence Force’s consolation in stoppage time. Defence Force’s U-20 squad, under the tutelage of former national assistant coach Anthony “Gaffa” Barrington, fared no better in the first match of the doubleheader, falling to a 4-0 defeat against the Jabloteh lads (coached by Eve) with goals from Rennie Britto, Wendell Joseph, Ijana Mark and Lee Haynes.
Other Results: Under-20 Division – NORTH EAST STARS (2) Matthew Durham, John Stewart vs TOBAGO UNITED (0); SWIF (2) Sylvester Teasdale, Kezi Lara vs CALEDONIA AIA (2) Hyron Browne-Baptiste, Keyon Edwards; W CONNECTION (2) Jason Marcano, Christopher Durity vs ARIMA FIRE (2) Dwayne Ellis, Kyle Gueverra; STARWORLD STRIKERS 0 vs JOE PUBLIC 0.
LONDON: Former West Indies all-rounder Eldine Baptiste has engaged the services of a top London lawyer as he seeks redress over his wrongful arrest and imprisonment on Sunday. British customs at London’s Gatwick Airport incarcerated Baptiste on suspicion that he was travelling with cocaine concealed in golf balls as he arrived from Antigua. Toby Buroughs, who represented the Lashings club that Baptiste played for in a case against the International Cricket Council (ICC) in a bat sponsorship dispute, is representing Baptiste who was cleared and released from Wandsworth prison on Tuesday after he was detained on Sunday. The British officials apologised for their error. “I have a serious lawyer on the case,” Baptiste said from Kent on Wednesday.
WOMEN have made significant contributions to cricket in the West Indies. This was the opinion voiced by West Indies Cricket Board chief development officer Dr Michael Seepersaud, when he launched his board’s Scotiabank Kiddy Cricket workshop at the Dwight Yorke Stadium, Bacolet, Tobago, yesterday. And he denounced what he described as an ingrained attitude in a male-dominated society, that cricket was a man’s sport. He said, “I bet you didn’t know the overhead bowling was invented by a woman.”
Dr Seepersaud said, “We need more female participation in cricket; women are interested in cricket too.” He expressed a desire to see a significant balance between the male and female in cricket. But Dr Seepersaud expressed astonishment that students were unaware who (Courtney) Walsh, (Curtly) Ambrose and even Lincoln Roberts were. He pointed out it was just as important to educate students about players involved as it was to teach them to play the sport. Dr Seepersaud expressed further surprise when students appeared bewildered when asked about Clarence The Crab, the Kiddy Cricket mascot.
He said, “We have failed Tobago in the past and we have taken too long to bring Kiddy Cricket to Tobago, but better late than never. “One Test cricketer (Roberts) from Tobago is not enough.” All ten participating primary schools in the two-day workshop received Scotiabank Kiddy Cricket equipment and manuals, which are designed by other WICB development units to introduce different aspects of cricket into core subject areas such as language arts, mathematics, geography, history and art and design, among others. Although Kiddy Cricket has been in existence since 1999, this was the first time it was introduced to the sister island, Tobago.
SHAKY JOSEPH took five wickets for 16 runs to bowl Fun Lovers to an emphatic 77-run victory over Credo Scorpions to see his team runners-up in the Andy’s Drinks Ltd-sponsored Sunday Schools Limited-overs Windball Cricket League. The Fun Lovers batted first and totalled 140 runs for nine wickets in their 30 overs at the St Paul’s Street Multi-Purpose Facility on the weekend before Joseph did his damage in routing the Scorpions for 63. And on Tuesday last the Scorpions were again beaten by two wickets in a thriller, this time by St Francois Youths. After scoring 68 runs, the Scorpion bowlers made great headway into the St Francois innings but Mali George hit a determined unbeaten 17 to guide them to 70 for eight wickets and victory.
Scores: FUN LOVERS 140/9 vs CREDO SCORPIONS 63 – Alwin Hunte 16, Michael Daniel 12, S Joseph 5/16.
CREDO SCORPIONS 68 – Albert Hunte 17, Geoffrey Cooper 14, Tish Birbal 2/2, Michael Williams 2/3 vs ST FRANCOIS YOUTHS 70/8 – M George 17 not out, M Williams 15, Albert Hunte 3/14.
Final standings: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
P |
W |
L |
D |
Pts |
|
St Paul Street |
7 |
6 |
1 |
0 |
18 |
|
Fun Lovers |
7 |
6 |
1 |
0 |
18 |
|
St Francois Youths |
7 |
4 |
3 |
0 |
12 |
|
Conquerors |
7 |
3 |
4 |
0 |
9 |
|
Word of God |
7 |
3 |
4 |
0 |
9 |
|
Credo Scorpions |
7 |
3 |
4 |
0 |
9 |
|
On the Rock |
7 |
2 |
5 |
0 |
68 |
|
SONG OF FREEDOM has returned to his best after a below par performance earlier this month, and can take top honours in the feature Brian Lara Starter Allowance dash on the competitive seven-race “Friday Evening Lime” programme at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, today. The son of Boston Harbour was an impressive winner of similar event three weeks after finishing runner-up to stable companion Sugar Mike in a controversial sprint, which marked his 2003 debut. Song Of Freedom was given a smart ride from the front by Roger Freeman and when he kicked for home from the top of the straight, he never looked like being caught and galloped home three lengths clear of Gold Master.
He flattered to deceive on his return earlier this month and was beaten by the Jack Debideen-trained runner up. But a case could be made out for the powerful built four-year-old, as he did not look a picture that day and failed to match the winner’s burst up the stretch. Trainer Grant Lourenco has left nothing short in his preparation for today’s encounter which will be watched by former West Indies cricketing greats Sir Vivian Richards and Jamaica Ambassador at Large Michael Holding, and in peak condition should take nearest rival Movietowne Magic and his three other opponents off their feet from start to finish in the 1100 metres event on the turf course.
Lady Honoree had been a handful to train earlier on but seem to have curbed her bad habits. She showed reformation last week when making all the running to score her maiden success over 1100 metres against a bunch of imported three-year olds. The Harold Chadee inmate has an abundance of early speed, and if handled the same way could be on the mark again in the Ricky Ponting Restricted Handicap, co-feature on the small but interesting card. Trainer Sydney Otway has produced only one winner from 15 starts out his small stable this term, but the affable conditioner could buck that trend with Baggy Green in the Glenn McGrath maiden event for West Indian-bred three-year-olds.
The gelded son of Vandross ran on with purpose to take second from a wide run up the straight last time out. He looked to be a horse with a bit of scope, and with normal progress could hold off his rivals in the 1350 metres contest. Also expected to attend today’s ‘Lime’ are members of both the Australian and West Indies cricket teams, who are here for the fourth and fifth Cable & Wireless One-Day Internationals at the Queen’s Park Oval tomorrow and Sunday. And fans will get an opportunity to meet and greet their favourites as an authograph session has been arranged in the winners’ enclosure.
PORT-OF-Spain Educational District proved too much for the other seven districts yesterday, claiming their 13th overall title at the Milo Primary Schools Track and Field Championships at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo. The PoS athletes amassed 517 points, with Tobago a distant second with 346, St Patrick 337 and North East 330. Caroni placed fifth with 314 points, followed by Victoria 292, St George East 279 and South East 193. Kafi Brathwaite of St George East was adjudged Victrix Ludorum of the 42nd annual Games with a total of 30 points, while the Victor Ludorum award was shared between Kevan Solomon of St George East, Shermund Allsop of South East and Akel Wells of North East, who each tallied 20 points during the day’s competition.
DEFENCE FORCE made splinters of Chips, whipping them 38-17 in their Pearl Francis Championship Division match in the Port-of- Spain Netball League. Chips were never a threat to the defending champions after the first quarter of Wednesday’s game at Jean Pierre Sports Complex, which ended 9-6. The Army-Coast Guard girls led 22-10 at the half-time interval and 27-14 at the three-quarter stage. National goal-shoot Anastascia Wilson scored 25 goals of 51 attempts, while Stacy Sparks had 13 of 28 for the winners, while Denise Rose scored 15 and Sharon O’Brien two for Chips.
Police kept pace with a 49-38 thumping of Arima United in the same division, with Beverly Hernandez scoring 36 goals from 47 attempts, Euphemia Huggins nine of 13 and Beverly Rodgers four of five. Merlicia Lkovell had 24 and Ann-Marie Evans 14 for the Arima team. And Mucurapo Ex-Pupils downed San Juan Jabloteh 39-30 in the other game with Simone Morgan scoring 31 of 40 attempts and Donna Thomas eight. Patricia Noel scored 16 and Julia Britto 14 for the losers. In the Angela “Pinky” Drayton A1 Division, Zenith scored a thrilling 41-40 victory over Malta Carib Senators. Helen Curden had 35 goals from 45 attempts and Michelle Slater six from eight for Zenith, while Tricia Roberts had 23 of 30 attempts and Kathleen Antoine 17 of 28 attempts for Senators.
