debut: 2/16/17
38,071 runs
7 cops accused of extortion go free after prosecutor fails to show
A high-profile case involving seven police officers accused of extorting businessmen in Sangre Grande collapsed in the Port-of-Spain North A Court, with all charges against them dismissed yesterday.
The decision came after the prosecution failed to meet court orders, present crucial evidence, and ensure the attendance of key witnesses.
The officers—Inspector Deyal Ramlakhan, acting Corporal Saheed Khan, Constables Cleon Smith, Davanan Ragbir, Macai Joseph, Jason O’Souna, and Special Reserve Police Rayon Charles—were charged in April 2023 with misbehaviour in public office and perverting the course of justice. The charges came after a viral video surfaced showing police officers allegedly seizing cash at a business in Sangre Grande in March 2023. The recording ignited widespread claims of police corruption targeting businessmen in the area.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Suzette Martin and the Professional Standards Bureau (PSB), which she led at the time, arrested the officers on April 24 after consulting with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).But yesterday, Master Sarah De Silva discharged the officers after the prosecution failed to meet crucial disclosure deadlines on two separate occasions. When the case was initially called, there was neither a complainant nor a prosecutor were present. The stand-in prosecutor, Police Corporal Bayne, admitted to having no case file or updates. This led to the Master dismissing the case entirely.
Inspector Ramlakhan, Corporal Khan, and Constable Ragbir were accused of misappropriating $27,693 from a business;
Inspector Ramlakhan, Constable Joseph, and SRP Smith were implicated in the misappropriation of $12,297; Constables Smith and Ragbir were charged with conspiring to make false statements to implicate victims in an illegal gaming investigation;
Inspector Ramlakhan, PC Ragbir, SRP Smith, and SRP Charles were charged with misappropriating $38,500.
Minister in the Ministry of National Security Keith Scotland commented on the matter, saying, “I am not apprised of all the primary facts surrounding this matter. Only after I have gathered all relevant facts would I be able to make a meaningful comment.
A high-profile case involving seven police officers accused of extorting businessmen in Sangre Grande collapsed in the Port-of-Spain North A Court, with all charges against them dismissed yesterday.
The decision came after the prosecution failed to meet court orders, present crucial evidence, and ensure the attendance of key witnesses.
The officers—Inspector Deyal Ramlakhan, acting Corporal Saheed Khan, Constables Cleon Smith, Davanan Ragbir, Macai Joseph, Jason O’Souna, and Special Reserve Police Rayon Charles—were charged in April 2023 with misbehaviour in public office and perverting the course of justice. The charges came after a viral video surfaced showing police officers allegedly seizing cash at a business in Sangre Grande in March 2023. The recording ignited widespread claims of police corruption targeting businessmen in the area.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Suzette Martin and the Professional Standards Bureau (PSB), which she led at the time, arrested the officers on April 24 after consulting with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).But yesterday, Master Sarah De Silva discharged the officers after the prosecution failed to meet crucial disclosure deadlines on two separate occasions. When the case was initially called, there was neither a complainant nor a prosecutor were present. The stand-in prosecutor, Police Corporal Bayne, admitted to having no case file or updates. This led to the Master dismissing the case entirely.
Inspector Ramlakhan, Corporal Khan, and Constable Ragbir were accused of misappropriating $27,693 from a business;
Inspector Ramlakhan, Constable Joseph, and SRP Smith were implicated in the misappropriation of $12,297; Constables Smith and Ragbir were charged with conspiring to make false statements to implicate victims in an illegal gaming investigation;
Inspector Ramlakhan, PC Ragbir, SRP Smith, and SRP Charles were charged with misappropriating $38,500.
Minister in the Ministry of National Security Keith Scotland commented on the matter, saying, “I am not apprised of all the primary facts surrounding this matter. Only after I have gathered all relevant facts would I be able to make a meaningful comment.
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