28 februari 2005
PARAMARIBO, Suriname: Concerned about the increase of incidents where police officers are using force against suspects Suriname Police Commissioner, Delano Braam, met with commanders and other top police officers from the different precincts on Thursday to discuss this matter.
The police chief is very concerned about the latest spate of complaints about police officers using unnecessary force against suspects. It also appears that the number of incidents where officers, when using force, do not adhere to the Police Charter is on the rise.
The police brass came together to find a solution and how to cooperate and develop a strategy for a more acceptable police behavior. The supervisor of the Internal Affairs Department where victims could submit their complaints mentioned a series of incidents where police officers were involved.
Because of understaffing, Internal Affairs cannot investigate all the complaints in a timely manner, and civilians have little confidence in the integrity of these inquiries.
At Thursday's meeting some decisions where made and a plan was drafted to tackle the problems. The heads of the different precincts will monitor the specific problems concerning their respective bureaus and decide what action should be taken to address the situation.
Police officers who shows deviant behavior will get intensified guidance and, if needed, psychological counselling. Additional training and coaching are other options in the efforts to tackle the upsurge of police brutality.
People became enraged when in December 31, 2005, a policeman without any motive, shot a man in the leg. Seeking medical help in neighboring French Guiana to no avail, the young man’s leg was amputated by doctors in the French territory.
Although numerous eyewitnesses turned up to give evidence that the victim posed no threat to the policeman when the shooting occurred, the official report of Internal Affairs mentioned resistance of arrest as motive for the shooting. None of the eyewitnesses who were eager to come forward were summoned to give testimony when the case was investigated.
Tuesday a police officer was sentenced to a three year jail term for shooting an unarmed suspect, a supposed petty thief, in the back. The suspect died shortly after the incident. The judge ruled that there was no need for the shooting since the suspect was unarmed, running away to avoid arrest, and posed no threat to the defendant. Another defendant, also a police officer was acquitted. Prosecutors demanded a prison sentence of five years. (Ivan Cairo/Caribbean Net News Suriname Correspondent)
26 februari 2005
CURIOUS: some of the curious onlookers who gathered in front of the KFC outlet after the fatal shooting yesterday. (Quacy Sampson photo)
The deceased was identified as 20-year-old Oniel Adams, of Fourth Street, Haslington, East Coast Demerara and the alleged shooter has been taken into police custody.
There were conflicting reports about the shooting which took place about 10:30 h when the victim was fatally wounded.
According to some of the people who gathered at the scene to glimpse at his lifeless body, the man was being taken to Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation by relatives for psychiatric treatment when he ran away from them and went to the fast food place. But others, who claimed to have witnessed the incident, alleged that Adams attempted to rob a customer at the eating house before the guard shot him.
Another version of what transpired said the victim was involved in a scuffle with a foreign currency changer outside the restaurant and, after they scuffled, Adams went inside the KFC where he and the guard argued prior to the gunshots being heard. One woman suggested Adams might have survived if he was taken immediately to receive medical attention, instead of being left at the scene with his wounds for more than an hour.
Other people who were there told the Chronicle that the guard had earlier handcuffed Adams and ordered him to lie on the floor of the KFC for about 15 minutes. They said nobody complained that the man who was killed had snatched anything and no jewel was found on him. “…he was not a junkie, he was neatly dressed and was a handsome youth,” another vouched.
Following the shooting, it was business was as usual at the KFC branch later in the day.
Police said that Adams “attempted to snatch money from a man but was prevented by some members of the public and, subsequently, ran towards the KFC outlet, where he broke a glass door and entered, only to be confronted by the guard on duty, who handcuffed him. “It is alleged that the man, while handcuffed, attempted to disarm the guard, resulting in him being shot in his back and on the right ankle.”
The guard’s firearm, ammunition and spent shells have since been lodged and investigations are continuing, a police press release said. (Guyana Cronicle)
25 februari 2005
St Kitts-Nevis participates in seminar to form Caribbean Prosecutors Association
Crown Counsel, Miss Janine Harris (l) and Director of Public Prosecution, Mr Dennis Merchant (Photo: Erasmus Williams)
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts: Director of Public Prosecution, in St Kitts, Mr. Dennis Merchant and Crown Counsel, Miss Janine Harris were recent participants at a seminar to promote the formation of a Caribbean Prosecutors Association.
The association which could soon be a reality follows a two-day seminar in Barbados of regional Directors of Public Prosecutions and senior prosecutors.
According to a news release from the Antigua-based British High Commissioner, this recommendation of the nearly thirty lawyers who represented thirteen Caribbean countries was unanimously agreed at the final session that they would set up the association, probably under the aegis of the International Prosecutors’ Association.
The seminar was conducted by a team of facilitators headed by Anesta Weekes QC, chair of the UK Caribbean Jurists’ Group, and included Sir David Calvert-Smith, immediate past DPP of England and Wales, Steve Gwilliam head of the anti corruption division at the Metropolitan Police, Judge Michael Lawson QC, Robert Drybrough-Smith, Crown Prosecution Service, and Deborah Mansfield Law Society.
Also addressing the seminar were Barbados’ Chief Justice, Sir David Simmons and Justice Adrian Saunders, Acting Chief Justice of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States. Justice Saunders was recently appointed as a Justice of the Caribbean Court of Justice.
Matters discussed included the independence of the prosecutor, handling of vulnerable witnesses, investigation and prosecution of corruption and sharing of expertise within the region as a whole.
There was also widespread agreement that, despite differences in size, resources and procedures, there is still common ground on judicial matters among the regional states as well as with England and Wales. Barbados’ Director of Public Prosecutions, Charles Leacock, brought the Caribbean perspective in his address on removing barriers to prosecutions in the region.
A particularly valuable achievement was the invitation by the facilitators to the prosecutors to be more pro-active in attacking corruption both in police services and in government service. The seminar was organised by the UK Caribbean Jurists’ Group in collaboration with the British High Commission in Barbados. (Caribbean Net News)
Two Pakistani police in Haiti peacekeeping sex probe
UNITED NATIONS (AFP): Two Pakistani officers in the UN peacekeeping mission in Haiti are under investigation for possible prostitution charges after allegations of rape by a local woman, a UN spokesman said Thursday. The woman claimed she was raped by three peacekeepers in the city of Gonaives last week but an initial enquiry has found it was a case of prostitution with two Pakistani police, spokesman Fred Eckhard told reporters.
"Nonetheless, the personal conduct code for peacekeepers rules out any involvement in prostitution and strict disciplinary action will be taken," if the charges are substantiated by further investigation, Eckhard said. Because there is no standing UN force, however, the United Nations depends on peacekeepers from member nations -- and has only limited measures to punish offenders besides returning them to their home countries.
The UN's image has been badly tarred in recent months by revelations that UN peace troops in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) had had sex with local girls as young as 13 in exchange for token payments of food or cash. UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has since imposed a "non-fraternisation" policy on personnel in the UN's DRC mission.
Chief Justice issue still in fact-finding mode says Trinidad PM
PM Manning addressing the Senate
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: Trinidad and Tobago's Prime Minister, Patrick Manning says he has not made a decision in the matter concerning the Chief Justice, "Everything is still in the fact-finding phase."
Prime Minister Manning presented a chronology of correspondence from the Attorney General and the Director of Public Prosecutions making allegations against the CJ in the discharge of his duties and also pointed out the process allowed by the Constitution through which such matters are dealt with by the Prime Minister.
In addressing the Senate on Tuesday, Manning said:
Madam President,
I wish to thank you for this opportunity to address this Honourable Senate this afternoon, and through you, the National Community on a matter of tremendous importance, which has come into the public domain. In mid-January, the Prime Minister received two items of correspondence emanating from the Attorney General and the Director of Public Prosecutions making several allegations against the Chief Justice in the discharge of his duties.
When these circumstances arie, the Constitution provides a process by which such matters are dealt with by the Prime Minister. According to the constitutional process, the Prime Minister must decide whether the question of removing the Chief Justice ought to be investigated. Naturally, such a decision should be made only:
a) After a thorough examination of the issues is undertaken and
b) If there is a serious enough case to answer.
Once the Prime Minister is satisfied that the investigation ought to be carried out, he must refer the matter to the President to appoint a Tribunal comprising judges and ex-judges from anywhere in the Commonwealth. If the Tribunal determines that the Chief Justice should be removed from office it refers the matter to the Privy Council for confirmation or otherwise.
We can see from the process outlined that the Prime Minister and Government have no authority whatsoever to remove a Chief Justice from office. That authority resides ultimately with the Privy Council and the Privy Council only. It is extremely important to note that the Prime Minister does not determine guilt or innocence but merely satisfies himself that the question of removing the Chief Justice from office ought to be investigated.
I draw attention to and emphasize the fact that once the Prime Minister is in receipt of authentic correspondence and is satisfied after due enquiry that the question of removing the Chief Justice from office ought to be investigated, then the Prime Minister himself must act or be exposed to the serious accusation of dereliction of duty. In this regard, the Prime Minister must be slow to act and only after a thorough examination of the facts.
I now wish to inform the National Community that upon receipt of the complaints, I invited the Chief Justice to my office on January 24th and advised him of the correspondence received from the Attorney General and the Director of Public Prosecutions, provided him with copies of the documents and requested him to respond in writing to the allegations.
On January 26th, this conversation was formalized in writing with attached copies of the documents. The Chief Justice was requested to respond within a two-week timeframe. The Prime Minister has received two separate items of correspondence from the Chief Justice, one dated February 1st raised inter-alia issues relating to the constitutionality of the provisions of the part of the Constitution where the procedure to be followed in these circumstances is outlined. The other received on February 8th responded to allegations raised by the Attorney General and the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Upon receipt of these two letters, I sought advice from Senior Counsel who recommended that the response received on February 8th should be referred to the Attorney General and the Director of Public Prosecutions for comment. This has been done.
Madam President, as a consequence of statements made in correspondence from the Chief Justice and the Director of Public Prosecutions indicating that in one of the meetings with the Chief Justice, former Director of Public Prosecutions and now High Court Judge, Mr. Justice Mark Mohammed was present, the Prime Minister wrote to Mr. Justice Mohammed on February 14th requesting his assistance in providing further and better particulars in an effort to garner as much information as possible.
When all of this information is received, it is the intention of the Prime Minister to continue his consultation with his legal constitutional advisors, one from Trinidad and Tobago and two from the United Kingdom who have acknowledged expertise in these matters to assist in determining if there is a serious enough case to answer to warrant the setting up of a Tribunal to investigate the matter.
It must be made absolutely clear that one of the complainants in this matter is the Attorney General who is legal advisor to the Prime Minister and Government of Trinidad and Tobago. It follows, therefore, that in this particular matter the advice of the Attorney General cannot be sought because of the obvious conflict of interest. Accordingly, the Prime Minister is receiving appropriate advice from eminent senior counsel in Trinidad and Tobago and, in due course, the United Kingdom.
It can, therefore, be seen that the Prime Minister has not come to any conclusion or decision in the matter since he is not yet in possession of the totality of the facts. The matter is still in a fact-finding phase and it is anticipated that this can continue a while longer until all of the required information is available.
Let me give the assurance that the Prime Minister has not met a single judge of the High Court or the Appellate Division and I hope that those who are peddling information will note that no Judge, whether by invitation or appointment or request, has been seen by the Prime Minister. These inaccuracies are not helpful in what is already a most delicate and sensitive matter.
As the process unfolds, I advise that the National Community can rest assured that your Prime Minister shall continue to act in accordance with, and adherence to the Constitution, and on the basis of sound advice. I shall not refrain from acting if the occasion demands, but I shall act fairly. I shall condemn no one and I am mindful of the solemnity and consequences of this process that is underway. If at the end of that process, it is felt that no further action should be taken, then the matter ends there.
Nonetheless, we must deprecate in the strongest terms those who express views of intending gloom, and plots, and who see ethnicity in every facet of activity. They are urged to desist from their intense determination to divide and fragment the society.
Similarly, the National Community is advised that the Government has taken note of the threat of violence emanating from one important quarter. In response to this threat, I merely wish to state that the Government acknowledges its responsibility to preserve law and order in this society, a responsibility that we will discharge without fear or favour.
Madam President, this is indeed a challenging time. All of us would have preferred to let this cup pass. But Government is about ensuring that equality of opportunity and common fairness apply to all of us however powerful or weak we might seem to be. This Government is about building a collaborative society that is assured of Justice, Fairness and Equity.
We, therefore, assure all citizens that the Government will respect the Constitution as we have always done, and permit the Constitutional process to be observed in the quest of fairness to all. When the occasion next arises, I shall advise the National Community of any pertinent developments germane to this matter.
Thank you Madam President," Manning concluded.
Casinos in Suriname scrambling to meet deadline
PARAMARIBO, Suriname: With only a couple of days to go, casinos in Suriname are scrambling to meet a deadline set for February 28 or face closure by the authorities. License holders have till Monday to comply with the terms set out in their license and the relevant laws.
If licenses granted by the Wijdenbosch administration in the period 1996-2000 are not operational by Monday, they become invalid. According the regulation casinos can only be operational if their activities are embedded in a fully functioning hotel operation.
Most operating casinos currently don’t meet this requirement and in August 2004 were given a six month period to comply. A one year extension, exclusively given by the president, is possible if casino owners could present plans, that they could meet the requirements within a year. But owners with ‘sleeping’ licenses who failed to get their business up and running by Monday, will lose their permit.
Friday last week the opening of the spanking new ‘Princess Hotel & Casino’ at the last minute was delayed after government officials advised that the hotel license would not be handed over since the building didn’t meet all technical standards.
Eight of the twenty hotel rooms did not have a window and these are “potential coffins” if there is a fire, Trade minister Michael Jong Tjien Fa, told reporters Wednesday at a news conference. As soon as the technical requirements are in place, he will sign the hotel license.
The hotel managers however told media that the Fire Department approved of the building. Also on Friday another casino which is still under construction failed to launch since the authorities didn’t release the permit. Regulations indicate that casino-hotels should have at least twenty rooms that meet the standards of a three star hotel.
When the Venetiaan-administration came into office in 2000, measures were taken to order the gambling sector. Since 1996 casinos popped up everywhere in the capital and other parts of the country and currently some 16 gambling houses are operational on a population of merely 480,000 people.
Still there are a number of ‘sleeping licenses’ out. Most people who were granted a casino permit didn’t make use of it, but sold it to the highest bidder. Licenses were sold for US$200,000 to US$300,000 each.
Although government is one of the top beneficiaries from the gambling business by cashing in millions of dollars from taxes, the cabinet is not in favor of this sector. Casinos are associated with illegal activities such as money laundering, illegal money transfers and drug trafficking.
On Friday, 12 February a casino manager and the owner of the casino he was affiliated with were arrested by immigration officers at the international airport when the manager tried to smuggle US$1 million to the Netherlands. They were handed over to police and subsequently jailed. Both suspects were slapped with a fine since the matter was settled out of court and the money they tried to smuggle was confiscated.
In its approach to casino operations the government also took in consideration negative fall out of this business, such as gambling addiction, and disruption of families.
Vice-president Jules Ajodhia said Wednesday, that although casinos provide more then 2000 jobs, they should abide by the law and regulations. If they fail to comply, the necessary actions will be taken, the vice-president warned. Most of the casinos are managed by foreign companies who bring in their own foreign management staff, while the license holders are Surinamese citizens and most of the lower staff are local employees.
Between some of the gambling houses there is a bitter rivalry. December last year Suriname Palace Casino lost a fierce legal battle from opponent Mirage Casino, who evicted Suriname Palace Casino from a hotel building owned by Mirage.
The management of Suriname Palace Casino was also accused of illegal money transfers to the United States of America via a major bank. Allegedly more then US$30 million was transferred in 6 years. (Ivan Cairo/Caribbean Net News Suriname Correspondent)
Suriname official denies corruption allegations
PARAMARIBO, Suriname: A Suriname cabinet minister denied corruption allegations Wednesday after local media revealed a list of contracts awarded to allegedly imaginary persons. At least 24 contracts were revealed and, according to critics, for work that never was executed.
Civil Works minister Dewanand Balesar said at a press conference Wednesday afternoon, the contracts were authentic and that he himself signed the documents. He denied that the beneficiaries were fictitious. Rumors have it that the ‘fraudulent’ contracts were granted to party loyalists, friends and family members.
“I am aware of all these contracts but I haven’t done anything wrong,” Balesar said.
The minister noted that every day he signs contracts after they were processed by his staff, but he doesn’t know all the details. If investigation reveals any wrongdoing by his staff members, those responsible will have to face the consequences, he said. If investigations shows his involvement in the alleged scandal, the minister said, he will have to face the consequences.
Already in an unrelated case the head of his Financial Department faces dismissal after investigations revealed that she took money from the ministry’s cashbox to lend to third persons.
“This lady was playing moneylender with government money,” said vice-president Jules Ajodhia who assisted the beleaguered minister. The Opposition demanded the minister’s resignation pending an investigation.
Also president Ronald Venetiaan is asked to respond on this matter since fighting corruption was high on his agenda when he assumed office in August 2000. Suspicion was aroused after local media and opposition learned that the payment for all 24 different contractors was deposited in only two bank accounts.
According to the minister and the vice-president, it is a common practice for wealthy persons to buy up guaranteed checks from contractors who can not wait until payment is due. These contractors get some 40 percent less than what they were entitled to when they sell these checks.
Buyers then, with a profit of 40 percent, collect the money later when the government pays out. In the alleged corruption case the minister said, probably two buyers acquired the paychecks from all the contractors. T
he minister also denied allegation, that he ordered the purchase of two vehicles worth some US$100,000 for private purposes. He confirmed that beneficiaries who obtained asphalt contracts purchased the cars which are currently used by ministry officials supervising the infrastructural projects.
When these projects come to an end, Minister Balesar stressed, these vehicles will be handed over to the government. Meanwhile Attorney General Subhas Punwasi launched a preliminary investigation after a concerned citizen submitted the alleged fraudulent contracts to his office.
The Attorney General is now awaiting advice from the State Accountant Service (CLAD) who is also investigating the allegations. Inquiries by the CLAD could take months or sometimes years before advice could be delivered. (Ivan Cairo/Caribbean Net News Suriname Correspondent)
23 februari 2005
CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters) - A 67-year-old Spaniard disguised as a Roman Catholic bishop was arrested in a Venezuelan airport with nearly 20 pounds (9 kg) of cocaine under his cassock, authorities said Saturday.
Angel Velasco Padilla was arrested this week at Maiquetia international airport near the capital Caracas as he tried to board a flight to Spain. The suspect was carrying 17.4 pounds (7.9 kg) of cocaine in his belt plus 12 drug packets in his underwear, police said.
Velasco told authorities he was a member of a Dutch archdiocese and had been in Venezuela for a week to attend a meeting.
But a source from Venezuela's Catholic Church told Reuters that no Velasco was listed in the ecclesiastic registry or in the archdiocese to which he claimed to belong. He also denied there was any meeting in Venezuela. "He is a Spanish citizen ... but he is not a bishop and he does not have any links in the church. He was disguised and presented false identification," the source said.
Velasco was charged with trafficking illegal substances and is being held by Venezuelan police. A 21-year-old Venezuelan man travelling with him was released. Narcotics experts say large quantities of drugs, especially cocaine, are transported from neighboring Colombian across Venezuela and then shipped to the United States and Europe. (Guyana Cronicle)
Former deputy speaker found guilty of manslaughter in Antigua
GEORGETOWN, Grand Cayman: A former Antigua Labour Party (ALP) Parliamentarian and Deputy Speaker in the Antigua and Barbuda House of Representatives was on Tuesday found guilty of manslaughter by an Antiguan court and could face up to 35 years in jail when sentenced next month.
Speaking with Caribbean Net News via the telephone, court sources in St. John's said a 9-member jury took some 150 minutes in deliberations before returning a unanimous verdict of not guilty of murder, but found the former Parliamentary Representative for the St. Phillips South Constituency guilty of manslaughter. The announcement of the verdict, court sources continued, caused members of Bowen's family and other supporters and sympathizers to break down in tears while others could be heard shrieking.
Bowen's woes resulted from an incident back in 2003 in which 23-year-old Tessa Bartley with whom he allegedly had an intimate affair was shot. Police in St. John's told Caribbean Net News that Bartley was shot on December 23, 2003 during an altercation outside Bowen's office on a city street. She died some six days later while in the Intensive Care Unit of the Holberton hospital in St. John's.
Bowen, a lawyer by profession, is now at the country's lone jail awaiting sentencing which has been slated for Friday, March 11, 2005. According to High Court sources, Manslaughter carries a maximum of 35 years in jail. Meanwhile Bowen's attorneys have announced their intention to appeal.
"...We think we have an abundance of grounds from the summing-up of the learned trial judge," said Dr. Henry Stugumber Browne, one of Bowen's two lawyers, while speaking via internet radio. Norman 'Gus' Thomas Caribbean Net News Senior Correspondent)
21 februari 2005
War on drugs in Barbados continues in earnest
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: The Royal Barbados Police Force’s strong enforcement strategies seem to be bearing fruit, with lawmen seizing illegal drugs last year with an estimated street value of some BDS $19 million.
This disclosure has come from Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Grafton Phillips, Commander of the Drug Squad, who said that 7,153.3 lbs of cannabis, 92.8 lbs of cocaine and 1,098 ecstasy tablets were confiscated in 2004, and 758 persons were taken before the law courts for illegal drug use. In addition, ASP Phillips stated that lawmen confiscated 1,496 cannabis plants last year as compared with 180 in 2003, and he attributed their success to an aggressive plan to weed out the unlawful activity at this island’s air and sea ports.
So far this year, he revealed, an estimated 472 lbs of cannabis and six and a half lbs of cocaine have been seized. Cognisant that narcotic drug trafficking and its usage have a negative effect on the community, he said the Force had set itself two main goals this year in the fight against illegal drugs. “They are to step up surveillance, thereby increasing the seizure of illicit drugs by 20 per cent over the previous year and continue our efforts in identifying and prosecuting the main persons involved in the trafficking of illegal drugs,” he promised.
ASP Phillips said that his section had worked with several departments within and outside the Force, including the Police Marine Unit, the Special Services Unit, the Canine Unit and the Barbados Coast Guard, and this had resulted in the sharing of information and intelligence and more arrests. The illegal drug trade is seen as big business throughout the world, with a growing number of persons adopting the “get rich quick” trend.
However, ASP Phillips has advised drug pushers and persons contemplating becoming drug mules to desist from such activity. He has urged them to think about the impact the illegal substances had on the community in which they lived, the risks of exposing their family members to the dangers associated with drug trafficking and the fact that they could be arrested, placed before the law courts and be incarcerated for long periods.
The theme of the RBPF’s 2005 Policing Plan is “Safe Homes, Safe Communities” and the senior cop wants all Barbadians to embrace it by “playing their part in the fight against illegal drugs, thus reducing or eliminating the fear in our community”. He deplored the fact that some school children were also involved in illegal drug use and activities associated with it, noting that some of them were even quitting school as a result. “The presence of illegal drugs in the household
is so commonplace today that young children are exposed to them at an early age. As a result, some children have a false image of life and that it has an easy gateway to ‘wealth’, which then cultivates a lack of respect for authority and in particular, law enforcement agencies,” he said. He noted that the presence of narcotic drug use had brought along with it “a criminal element which spans from the simple theft to even the major crime of murder, thus injecting the element of fear within some sections of the community, while embracing others with the sharing of their wealth”.
He assured that the Drug Squad members were working hard to achieve their mission of “taking down, dismantling or disrupting” all illegal drug operations here. All Barbadians are therefore reminded that they must play their part if the illicit trade is to be curbed and drastically reduced. (Caribbean Net News)
Haiti drug gang in mass prison break-out, former ministers recaptured
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AFP): An armed gang stormed Haiti's main prison and freed hundreds of prisoners including two jailed former government ministers in a bid to release drug traffickers, a Haitian government source said, while police announced that a number of detainees had already been recaptured.
According to initial investigations the strike, which freed a total of 356 detainees and left a prison guard dead, "was carried out by a group trying to release prisoners for money," according to the source, a member of the entourage of interim President Boniface Alexandre.
Yvon Neptune et Jocelerme Privert, former prime minister and interior minister in the regime of ex-president Jean Bertrand Aristide, took advantage of the chaos to escape from the national penitentiary, along with more than 350 other prisoners, the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity. But the two were subsequently recaptured after calling several embassies to request political asylum, enabling police to trace them, the official said.
The former ministers are now back in the prison, tightly guarded by Haitian police and UN peacekeepers, the source said. In total, 356 detainees escaped when the prison was invaded by armed men Saturday afternoon. Police had recaptured "a certain number," a police spokeswoman said, but she did not specify how many. A prison guard was killed and three were wounded during the mass escape.
The assailants penetrated the facility while visiting family members were delivering food to inmates, police spokeswoman Gessy Coicou said. Witnesses said intense shooting erupted after three vehicles approached the front of the prison at about 3:30 pm (2030 GMT). The operation appeared to be well-organized, and coordinated from inside the prison. "It was an operation mounted from both the inside and outside," a guard said.
The prison, located in the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince, held 1,422 inmates prior to the escape, human rights official Kettly Julien said. Aristide fled Haiti on February 29 last year amid an armed uprising and street protests against his rule. He now lives in exile in South Africa. He was replaced by a US- and French-backed interim government led by president Boniface Alexandre and prime minister Gerard Latortue. A UN peacekeeping force was sent to Haiti last year after Aristide departed but violence between his supporters and the current government continues to be a problem.
Haiti's National Coalition for Human Rights said last week that 403 people -- 384 civilians and 19 police officers -- had been shot dead in Port-au-Prince since September 30, when armed Aristide supporters launched an operation to try to return him to power.
Privert was arrested in April and Neptune in June after authorities blamed them for a wave of crime and violence by Aristide supporters. Neptune had called on Aristide supporters to mobilize for a future struggle, and Privert is blamed for a series of killings of Aristide opponents in the town of Saint Marc a year ago as part of a campaign of intimidation.
Latortue said in November that his government would also seek the extradition of Aristide on charges that he plundered state coffers and inspired political murders in the impoverished Caribbean nation. The populist former priest become Haiti's most widely supported democratically elected leader in 1990, only to be toppled in a military coup the following year. The United States invaded Haiti in 1994 and restored Aristide to power. He lost an election in 1996 election but won in 2000.
Haiti's interim government recently confirmed dates for the first elections since Aristide left power, including presidential elections to be held in two rounds on November 13 and December 18. (Clarence Renois/Caribbean Net News)
Caribbean renews commitment to combat terrorism
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad: The Inter-American Committee against Terrorism (CICTE) of the Organization of American States (OAS) ended the fifth regular session Thursday with a fresh commitment to combat and eliminate terrorism “in all its forms and manifestations, whatever its origin or motivation.” In their reaffirmation that terrorism “has no justification whatsoever,” member states took a decision to work within their own countries, sub-regions as well as the hemisphere to fight this scourge.
The threat of terrorism is made even more serious by connections with money laundering, illicit trafficking in drugs and arms, and a number of other forms of transnational organized crime, as was said in the “Declaration of Port-of-Spain on Strengthening Cooperation on Strategies to Sustain and Advance the Hemispheric Fight against Terrorism,” which was adopted at the just concluded meeting.
Member states called for urgent measures to be taken to strengthen cooperation and information exchange “with the aim of locating, capturing, prosecuting, and punishing the sponsors, organizers, and perpetrators of terrorist acts, as well as of identifying and freezing assets and resources used to facilitate, promote, or commit such acts.”
In the Declaration of Port-of-Spain, CICTE members also affirmed the need to support cooperation on cross-border management, improve the security and integrity of official documents, develop ways to rapidly disseminate warnings about cybersecurity threats, and intensify efforts to disrupt the capacity of terrorist networks to threaten safe travel and recreation in the member states, among other steps.
In winding-up the three-day meeting, the Chairman of CICTE, Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of National Security, Martin Joseph, accepted that implementing the anti-terrorism body’s ambitious and expanding work plan is going to require continued political, human and financial support. Joseph thanked the United States for its additional contribution of $1.6 million to CICTE, which was announced by the head of the U.S. delegation, Homeland Security Under-Secretary Asa Hutchinson, on Thursday.
The Trinidad and Tobago Minister, who will be chairing CICTE during the coming year, called the OAS body “a unique inter-American forum which allows for dialogue, policymaking and action in countering terrorism and related matters, adding that, it's a forum which must always be a forerunner in the sustained fight against terrorism.”
The CICTE work plan adopted in Port of Spain recommends a number of measures intended to assist in coordination and information-sharing related to border and customs controls, the prevention of money laundering, the strengthening of cybersecurity as well as aviation and maritime security. (by Norman 'Gus' Thomas Caribbean Net News Senior Correspondent in Port of Spain)
Caribbean Court of Justice headquarters agreement signed
Foreign Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Knowlson Gift signing the instrument. Photo: Maurice F. Merchant
PARAMARIBO, Suriname: Trinidad and Tobago has signed the instruments formalising assent to the Headquarters of the Caribbean Court of Justice being located in Port-of-Spain.
Foreign Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Knowlson Gift signed the document at the conclusion of the 16th Inter-sessional meeting of CARICOM in Suriname on Thursday. It also paves the way for the Caribbean Development Bank to release the US$100 million to the Board of Trustees to the CCJ Trust Fund. The Caribbean Court of Justice will be officially inaugurated on the 16th of April in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
The inauguration will entail an Inter-Faith Service, as well as a formal ceremony at which the Judges will be presented publicly. The President of the Court and designated Heads of Government, as well as the Secretary-General will speak at the ceremony. (Caribbean Net News)
16 februari 2005
Two charged over shooting of Wismar man
Zamani Lawson
Two men who allegedly discharged a firearm with intent to disfigure and cause bodily harm to another man were on Monday placed on $75,000 bail each by Magistrate Adrian Thompson.
Zamani Lawson, 19, and Gershon Brisport, 27, a mason, pleaded not guilty to the discharging-a-loaded firearm charge.
Gershon Brisport
According to the police report, on February 9 at Water Lily Road, Wismar, Linden, Farrakhan Mohamed was at his front door brushing his teeth when he was approached by Lawson and Brisport. They called him and when he came through the door, they allegedly discharged the firearm at him. The bullet passed through one of Mohamed's legs and hit the other leg.
Mohamed raised an alarm and persons went to his aid. He was then rushed to the hospital where his condition is regarded as serious. The two accused ran away and were later arrested by the police and charged with the offence. Their case was transferred to the Christianburg Magistrate's Court for February 16. (Stabroek News)
15 februari 2005
-police stumped
"This is not somebody coming from outside of here, this is people from right around here, they have a lot of criminals around here," says one of the recent robbery victims, who lives in constant fear that the attackers will return. But with last week's murder tensions have been heightened in the area, especially at night and some people are in their beds, prepared for the worst.
Timothy Singh, 26, of Ruby backdam, was killed in the attack at his home during a ten-minute spree by five masked men who were armed with handguns and cutlasses. It is believed that the man was attacked because he might have attempted to put up a fight and managed to wrestle a mask from one of them.
One of the first attacks occurred about a month ago when six armed men in masks broke into the home of a Canada-based man and his wife and robbed them of over $1.7M in cash and jewellery after a harrowing ordeal at Good Hope. Three men were subsequently held after positive identification but they were later released and there has been no progress in the case.
That same week gunmen using a similar method of operation broke into a store at Parika and grabbed $1.3M. Soon after there was an incident along the public road where the men are said to have broken into a store and removed several items. Then there was an attack a few villages away at the Vergenoegen rice factory, where some workers were robbed and beaten in a late- night attack. But among the villagers it is the circumstances of the robberies that have raised some suspicions about the people who might be behind the attacks.
"It's like they had some sort of prior information about it..." said one of the victims who suspects that persons familiar with the area are responsible for directing the attacks. Another of the invasion victims reported that the men knew the entire layout of the property including unique features that no regular person would know about.
After the Ruby robbery and murder the victims said they suspected that the persons were very familiar with their activities, including the market days. Apart from mentioning that several villagers had suffered attacks; the villagers also noted that the robbers managed to traverse the difficult terrain to carry out their attack.
So far police have had little success as they have only managed to hold persons for questioning and charges are yet to be laid against anyone. Indeed, some of the people in the area were frustrated more by the lack of pace in the investigations than the poor response time and they saw little use in even going to the police.
One robbery victim even claimed that although the men did not wear gloves the police were unable to find any fingerprints at the scene, even in the places where they were likely to find them. Others are afraid as they have been warned by the men not to report anything or they could face swift reprisals. In the aftermath of the robberies some of the victims now lead different lives because they are afraid that it might happen again, with even worse consequences.
For one family some of the windows of the house have been sealed with cement while the others are to go shortly. "Is this what we will have to live with for the rest of our lives?" one of them asked, saying that she wished she had somewhere else to go. "If only we whole family could get a visa and out of the country one man who is living in the heart of the recent robberies mused. (Andre Haynes / Guyana Cronicle)
13 februari 2005
Youth impersonated cop in armed robbery -court hears
It is alleged that on January 29, Lennox Wade, armed with a gun robbed Troy Sargeant of $1,500. Wade denied the charge of robbery under arms and his matter was fixed for March 2.
According to the police reports, Wade who was wearing a Guyana Police Force badge approached Sargeant and identified himself as a policeman. Wade then placed a gun to Sargeant's head and carried out a search on him. He then relieved Sargeant of $1,500 and went away. The matter was reported to the police, and Wade was subsequently arrested and charged. (Stabroek News)
12 februari 2005
Best Police Constable of the Year 2004 named in Nevis
Deputy Governor General, Mr Eustace John, presents a plaque to Nevis’ Constable of the Year 2004, Constable James Stephens
CHARLESTOWN, Nevis: Constable James Stephens was Friday evening named Best Police Constable of the Year 2004 in the Nevis Division of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force. As the finalist from the Traffic Department, he beat another ten departmental finalists to capture the coveted award.
The second annual Best Constable of the Year Award Ceremony, held at the Old Manor Hotel in Gingerland, was a high profile event that was attended by the Federation’s Governor General, Dr Cuthbert Sebastian, and the Deputy Governor General for Nevis, Mr Eustace John.
The other finalists were Constable Glenroy Hanley (the only one who did not attend the function due to illness), Constable Usborne Hewitt, W/Constable Shelisa Vaughan, W/Constable Nevilla Daniel, Constable Justin Griffin, W/Constable Shauna Pemberton, Constable Alonzo Carty, Constable Valentine Hodge, Constable Irvin Bradshaw and Constable Cleon Michael.
W/Sgt Ilena Phillip and Mr Charles Bussue, Director of the Government Press and Public Relations Department, read profiles of the finalists, while Deputy Governor General, Mr Eustace John presented the awards.
“As I bask in the glory of tonight’s award I vow that I will not wander in the valley of ill discipline or seek to drink from the bitter cup of complacency, because for me the hard work has just begun,” said Constable Stephens in his acceptance speech. “I will continue to do what is right to all sectors of society and will strive to uphold the principles and integrity of the organisation and most importantly to achieve the goals and objectives of the Nevis Division.”
The ceremony, which was chaired by Rev Amos Browne, had addresses by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr Meredith Charles, Minister of State in Prime Minister Ministry, Mr Nigel Carty, Premier of Nevis, Mr Vance Amory, and Permanent Secretary in Federal Ministry of National Security Mrs Astona Browne, who delivered the feature address.
Superintendent Cecil Morgan, Commander of the Nevis Division, told the gathering that the awards ceremony was initiated by the Nevis Strategic Planning Group, which was formed in December 2002. He observed that motivating the ranks by recommendation and awards stood high among the Group’s many objectives.
He said that the primary purpose of Friday evening’s function was to acknowledge the constables of the Nevis Division for the sterling contribution they had made and the role they played in making the island a safer place to live, by contributing to the growth of tourism, curbing the drug menace and making the roads safe.
In congratulating the awardees, the Commanding Officer challenged them to continue to set high goals, surpassing them with each level of success. He said: “You are in the limelight tonight because of your good discipline, knowledge of the job, verbal and written communications skills, confidence, effectiveness and efficiency. You are the cream of the crop for 2004 and the responsibility is yours to stay on top for 2005.”
In his brief overview, Superintendent Morgan said that in 2003 there were 252 crimes committed and that in 2004 there were 241 crimes committed, which reflected a reduction of 11 crimes or a 4.3% decrease.
He however noted that their detection rate, which was 55% in 2003, dropped to 46% in 2004 “making our success not as impressive as that of 2003. However, it was an effort good enough to keep our hope and confidence alive.”
He said that year 2004 was a challenging one for the Division with two murders and a mysterious death that still stands unsolved, but also added that the science of DNA testing had brought them success in three of their cases for the upcoming April Assizes, and this he attributed to the diligence of the detectives of the Criminal Investigation Department.
“The staff of this Division, though small in number, is comprised of dedicated men and women who work very hard, despite the penetrative attacks of the famous ‘Creep-Up’ and now “Get U Money Wutt’ flu, which robbed us of over 150 days of productive work,” decried the Commanding Officer.
He said that for 2005 his Division aims at reducing crime by 5 to 10 percent, which would be achieved through the continuation of targeting known offenders and the gathering intelligence that would lead them to new offenders. (Caribbean Net News)
Man arrested with bullet at 3.30 a.m. jailed
MARK Anthony (no address given) was yesterday sentenced to one year imprisonment for illegal possession of ammunition. Before Acting Chief Magistrate Cecil Sullivan, the 40-year-old prisoner admitted having a .32 bullet when he was not the holder of a licence on Wednesday, February 9.
In his explanation, Anthony claimed he found the round while operating his cart along Croal Street, in Georgetown, where a Police patrol arrested him at 3.30 a.m. (Guyana Cronicle)
Previously remanded prisoner also refused bail
IMSHAN Wong, 30, who was on remand in prison when nabbed in a drug bust, has to remain in jail until his March 17 trial. He, too, was refused bail by Acting Chief Magistrate Cecil Sullivan yesterday, after pleading not guilty to drug trafficking. Particulars of the offence said Wong was in possession of three grammes of cocaine at the Camp Street jail in Georgetown, last February 1.
Police Inspector Kevin Adonis, prosecuting, said a guard at the penitentiary searched the prisoner and found the narcotic in his pants waist after he had returned from attending Mahaica Court on East Coast Demerara.
Another alleged drug trafficker, Kenrick Benn, 36, of Port Kaituma Waterfront, denied he had 232 grammes of cannabis (marijuana) between his legs, during a February 8 Police search of his person at Eight Miles, in North West District, as well. At the time he was busted, Benn was a passenger in a motor vehicle. He has to be back in Court on February 28. (Guyana Cronicle)
Man posed as cop to commit gunpoint robbery
A man posed as a Police officer to rob another at gunpoint, Acting Chief Magistrate Cecil Sullivan heard yesterday. Before the Court, at the time, was Lennox Wayne, of Lot 21 Sendall Place, who pleaded not guilty to robbery under arms.
Particulars of the January 29 offence, said the defendant robbed Troy Sargeant of $1,500 on West Front Road, in Georgetown. Police Inspector Kevin Adonis, prosecuting, said Wayne approached the victim and showed him fake Police identification card, then placed a gun to Sargeant’s head and demanded he empty his pockets. The case will be called again on March 2. Meantime, Wayne has been remanded to prison. (Guyana Cronicle)
Berbice Assizes jury frees mother-in-law murder accused
THE mixed jury yesterday freed the accused in the mother-in-law murder case at the Berbice Assizes. The jurors returned the unanimous verdict in favour of Clement Cheefoon, following 30 minutes of deliberation. Justice Winston Moore, who discharged the prisoner, had spent two hours summing-up the evidence at the trial, after State Prosecutor James Bond and Senior Counsel Marcel Crawford, for the Defence, both waived their rights to make closing addresses.
Earlier, Cheefoon, in an unsworn statement from the dock, reiterated what he told Police during the investigations that his mother-in-law, Istree Walcott had approached to strike him with a piece of wood, when he deflected the blow from its target and she was injured. The case for the Prosecution was that Cheefoon, 21, unlawfully killed the woman at her Armadale, West Coast Berbice home, on May 15, 2002. (Guyana Cronicle)
Remanded defendant had $80,000, marijuana in pockets
TWENTY-NINE-YEAR-OLD Vibert Austin called ‘Junior’ (no address given) was refused bail and remanded to prison yesterday on a drug trafficking charge. He pleaded not guilty before Magistrate Chandra Sohan at New Amsterdam Court, in Berbice. Particulars of the offence said Austin was in possession of 445 grammes of cannabis (marijuana) for the purpose of trafficking at Stelling Road, New Amsterdam.
Police said the defendant was stopped after acting in a suspicious manner and, when searchced, he had $80,000 in one trousers pocket and leaves, seeds and stems of the plant in another. Austin is to face trial on March 18. (Guyana Cronicle)
11 februari 2005
Dead police inspector may have contracted 'lepto'
Wife, Zeena Reid said she is not in a position to say what may have caused her husband's untimely death since no one told her anything. She said he took sick one day and went into hospital only to die a few days later. According to the woman, no one in the family suspected leptospirosis and they are not willing to speculate at all. However, she said the family had never heard of the disease until now. She said her husband had prior medical problems but he had been healthy for sometime now.
"He was a strong man. I watched him leave for work everyday and return home during the flooding and we were under a lot of water here." She sympathised with the families who have lost loved ones to the disease. The wife added that she had no intention of having a post-mortem done on her husband since she believes there is nothing to prove. Besides, she said that Reid never favoured them. He will be buried today in Essequibo with full police honours, his wife said.
Meanwhile, a nine-year-old girl who died several days ago is suspected to be the first child to have passed away from leptospirosis. The girl whose family wishes her identity to remain secret is a relative of local sports commentator/reporter Sean Devers. Devers told Stabroek News yesterday that the girl was a healthy child who died after falling ill. He said the child was treated at the public hospital but at the time no one had suspected leptospirosis. Now questions are beginning to surface over what killed her. Devers said the girl had the symptoms associated with the disease and she succumbed.
Devers made the point that health officials could have at least issued an earlier warning about the disease, as well as alert people coming into the country about the possible dangers. (Iana Seales/Stabroek News)
9 februari 2005
Homes searched for explosives in Antigua
James 'Tanny' Rose
ST JOHN'S, Antigua: Police on the island of Antigua have confirmed to Caribbean Net News that officers last week effected early morning searches on the homes of two "known" supporters of the Antigua Labour Party (ALP) -- businessman, Bill Abbott and former Government Chief Information Officer (CIO), James "Tanny" Rose, more popularly known as the "voice of the oppressed and down trodden."
Police say the searches are all part of an investigation which is being carried out into an early morning explosion which did minimal damaged to the Hitachi Centre, a popular electronics and electrical fittings city store, one week ago.
The Hitachi Center is owned and operated by the Mansoor family of the Mansoor Group of Companies.
According to the police, the 65 minute search of Rose's home, surroundings and vehicle, began just before dawn. A section of the warrant which was read to Caribbean Net News over the telephone, indicated that the lawmen were looking for explosives which might have been hidden on Roses premises. The lawmen said nothing untoward was found during the search of both homes.
Rose has denied having any explosives or anything to do with the explosion which some in Antigua allege was self-inflicted. Rose is one the over 1,000 persons who lost their jobs in the restructuring programme of the new United Progressive Party (UPP) Administration led by trade unionist Baldwin Spencer, which took office on March 24 following the general elections in which the UPP defeated the Antigua Labour Party (ALP) 12-4.
Citing victimization, Rose and scores of other disgruntled ALP supporters, have voiced strong condemnation of the UPP and its policies and have accused the party of allowing itself to be controlled by a minority group of bourgeoisies. Party members have responded by accusing Rose of attempting to sow racial discord, a charge he denies.
Meanwhile, speaking on radio recently, the country's Assistant Commissioner of Police said the blast was out of character with Antigua and Barbuda and an in-depth probe by Caribbean Net News revealed that the device used in the blast was made from what police called, a "kind of pipe bomb contraption" which only damaged the glass of the main door.
The store was opened for business as usual the following day, police sources in Antigua told Caribbean Net News. Meanwhile, several calls were made to Abbott's home but we were told that he was unavailable. (Norman 'Gus' Thomas/Caribbean Net News Senior Correspondent)
The bodies of two men bearing several wounds were picked up on the West Coast and the East Coast of Demerara yesterday morning. The men, Heeralall called Kent of Windsor Forest and Gansaram Goberdan of Nootenzuil, East Coast Demerara were discovered one hour apart at separate locations.
According to a police release, Heeralall, aged 71, was found dead around 7 am. Inquiries disclosed that Heeralall is a proprietor of a restaurant in the area which would normally open early. Residents said they did not see it opening yesterday morning and on checking they received no answer from inside.
They later forced their way into the restaurant where they found Heeralall lying on the floor.
Police were alerted and the dead man was taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Police say the body bore two wounds over the right eye and is awaiting a post-mortem at the hospital.
According to the release, Goberdan had left his home around 7 am Sunday. He was next seen at about 1 pm on the same day under the influence of alcohol. Yesterday his body was discovered with lacerations to his neck and left ear. It is at a city mortuary awaiting a post-mortem. (Stabroek News)
Complaints force Trinidad Prime Minister to write Chief Justice
Patrick Manning, he wants an explanation from Sharma
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: Trinidad and Tobago's Prime Minister Patrick Manning, has sent a letter to the country's Chief Justice Sat Sharma, notifying him of several complaints made against him by the Attorney General John Jeremie, as well as Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Geoffrey Henderson, in relation to his performance as head of the country's judiciary.
Government sources told Caribbean Net News that the Prime Minister has asked Chief Justice Sharma to reply to the complaints made by the two officials, but up to now there has been no word from Sharma. However, Caribbean Net News has confirmed that he has had consultations with two of the country's top lawyers.
When reached last week, Sharma was mum and when reached again over the weekend, Sharma still declined comment. According to a government source, Prime Minister Manning is awaiting the Chief Justice's reply to determine if there are any grounds to initiate proceedings which could lead to Sharma’s removal from office.
In an earlier, Caribbean Net News broke the news that Opposition Senator Wade Mark revealed that secret moves are being made to "get the rid of Sharma." However, Jeremie told the Senate last week that it was “scandalous and irresponsible” of the Opposition Member of Parliament to suggest that the Government was considering doing such a thing to the Chief Justice. Government, said Jeremie, could not remove a Chief Justice.
Meanwhile, one High Court source close to the drama, told Caribbean Net News that the melee began in 2004 when a number of judges are said to have lodged complaints about the Chief Justice. Having heard this, the Chief Justice allegedly dispatched disciplinary letters to two High Court judges.
However, in light of the complaints an internal inquiry was reportedly carried out by Appeal Court Judges Roger Hamel-Smith along with Rolston Nelson, who is now a judge of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). Several recommendations, including establishing new rules for the assigning of judges to cases were made.
According to Court sources, Chief Justice Sharma did not support this and as a result, Justice Hamel-Smith, who has acted as Chief Justice on many occasions, is alleged to have paid a "quiet' visit to the country's President, George Maxwell Richards, "telling him what coming down" and even presented him with a copy of the report of the internal inquiry.
That, Court sources told Caribbean Net News, is where all the trouble began. Meanwhile, a check with several legal luminaries in Trinidad revealed that, Section 137 (1) of the Constitution states that:
A judge may be removed from office only for inability to perform the functions of his office (whether arising from infirmity of mind or body or any other cause) or for misbehaviour, and shall not be so moved except in accordance with the provisions of this section.
(2) A judge shall be removed from office by the President where the question of removal of that judge has been referred by the President to the Judicial Committee and the Judicial Committee has advised the President that the judge ought to be removed from office for such inability or for misbehaviour.
(3) Where the Prime Minister, in the case of the Chief Justice, or the Judicial and Legal Service Commission, in the case of a judge other than the Chief Justice, represents to the President that the question of removing a judge under this section ought to be investigated, then the President shall appoint a tribunal selected by the President, acting in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister in the case of the Chief Justice, or the Prime Minister after consultation with the Commission in the case of a judge.
Meanwhile, except for what was said by Jeremie and Mark, no Government official has made any statement dealing with the issue. However, Caribbean Net News has learnt that Sat Sharma may become the subject of an investigation, due to decisions he made while being head of the judges.
Three High Court Judges, when called by Caribbean Net News, suggested that the Chief Justice has been heavily criticised for certain cases and cited the Gypsy and Chaitan constitutional case and a case against former Prime Minister Basdeo Panday as examples. (Norman 'Gus' Thomas/Caribbean Net News Senior Correspondent)
8 februari 2005
Bandits strike on Corentyne
According to the police, the six bandits robbed Shaheed Baksh, a businessman of Number 19 Village, Corentyne at around 8.30 pm. Three bandits were armed with handguns, one had a knife, one a cutlass and the other was unarmed.
Inquiries disclosed that the businessman, his wife and another male relative were sitting outside the shop when they saw the men. The bandits robbed the two men of cash and jewellery, and forced all three into the shop where they ordered them to lie face down.
They removed cash from a drawer while two of them took one of the male victims to the top flat of the house where they ransacked and stole an additional sum of money from a wardrobe. They made good their escape with cash totalling $66,000 and jewellery valued $51,000.
And Yugushwar Singh of Belvedere South, Corentyne was robbed of $70,000 and a quantity of foreign currency after four armed men broke down a door and entered his house. Singh was in the company of an elderly man. The police said one of the men assaulted Singh with a knife. Singh was treated at the Port Mourant hospital and sent away.
Meanwhile, a 36-year-old woman who was awaiting transportation to be taken to Port Mourant market was robbed of $28,000 and a pair of gold earrings after a man held her up with a gun. Aria Mahadeo of Hampshire Squatting Area was with another woman when the incident occurred around 05:00 hrs. Investigations by the police are continuing. (Stabroek News)
7 februari 2005
Former Jamaican prime minister's family robbed and beaten
One of the ransacked rooms at the Manley's
KINGSTON, Jamaica: Former Prime Minister of Jamaica, the late Michael Manley's family received the "roughing-up" of their life over the weekend, when they were gun-butted, slapped-up, and tied up, during a robbery at their house in St. Andrew on Friday night.
The eighty-four year old son of the country's national hero, Norman Manley, and Douglas Manley, the brother of the deceased prime minister, revealed that he was beaten with the butt of a gun and slapped in the face.
One of Douglas' sons, Norman, told newsmen that one of the intruders lashed him across the neck and held a gun to his head as he lay face down on the ground.
When the press, having heard the news raced to the St. Andrew residence, forensic specialists were already there going through the house which was ransacked as they searched for clues that could result in an arrest.
According to Douglas Manley, about $5,000, some alcoholic beverages and two cable boxes were stolen from the home. "When I came to get myself a drink, the beer was gone and the bottle of scotch ... so they got pretty high," the old man said with a grin. Mr. Manley's car was also stolen, however, the police has recovered the vehicle.
Douglas Manley reported that having tied him and another of his sons with pieces of fabric, the intruders then went next door where Norman lives with his two children and granddaughter where they reportedly stole a .380 semi-automatic pistol belonging to Norman. They also took a Palm Pilot, an electronic instrument valued over $30,000.
Even though family members are traumatised, no one was seriously hurt and are all giving thanks to be alive. "The whole family is traumatised ... My daughter went under the bed, we are truly blessed to be alive," said a teary-eyed Jenny Manley.
The Constabulary Communication Network confirmed the robbery to Caribbean Net News, adding that they are carrying investigations into the matter. (Norman 'Gus' Thomas
Caribbean Net News Senior Correspondent)
Taxidriver robbed, hijacked
The owner of the vehicle, HB 244, who gave his name as Belle, said he was hired by the men at the Demico House car park around 1 am yesterday for a drop off in South Georgetown when he was robbed.
One of the men placed a gun to his head and asked him for all of his money. Raising his hands in surrender, Belle said he allowed the men to search a compartment in his car and took out $10,000 which was his day's earnings. They also stole his cellular phone valued $32,000. Belle said he was then pushed out of his car and the robbers drove away with it.
4 februari 2005
Civilians rewarded in Bahamas crime fight
Commissioner of Police Paul Farquharson presents a
plaque to pilot Rosemary Mitchell, who assisted in the
capture of suspects in the armed robbery of the Royal
Bank of Canada in Spanish Wells, Eleuthera, last
December. The presentation took place January 11
during the Royal Bahamas Police Force annual press
conference.
NASSAU, The Bahamas: Bahamian Commissioner of Police Paul Farquharson has commended two residents of North Eleuthera for their bravery in helping law enforcement officers capture suspects in a bank robbery on Spanish Wells last year.
During the Royal Bahamas Police Force annual press conference on Tuesday, January 11 at Police Headquarters, the Commissioner presented plaques to Family Island Chief Councillor Abner Pinder and pilot Rosemary Mitchell.
They were awarded for dedicated services to the Royal Bahamas Police Force and the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, for the preservation of law and order and the apprehension of offenders, following the robbery of the Royal Bank of Canada in Spanish Wells on December 1, 2004. This very, very brave woman, miles away in her plane also heard the police transmission and with her skilfulness, was able to manoeuvre her plane over the boats (as the suspects attempted to make their get-away). "She was able to steer them in and kept vigilance over the boat until the police arrived," said Commissioner Farquharson.
In her response, Mrs. Mitchell said: "I guess they did not expect an airplane with an attitude that day. But I'm glad we were able to do something to help in steering them off and let them know that they can't come to the out islands and do that.We all have to participate in trying to cut the crime. It's escalating and it's going to run the tourists out of the country. So anything, anybody can do; I'll be there again if you need me."
The Commissioner said he was just about to leave office for a function on December 1, 2004, when his secretary notified him of a very important phone call. On the other end was Chief Councillor Pinder, who said: "Commissioner, you would not believe this, but we are in the middle of a robbery." The Commissioner said while he spoke with Mr. Pinder, Assistant Commissioner in charge of Crime Reginald Ferguson was able to dispatch officers to the scene, where the suspects were eventually captured.
Mr Pinder said he was proud to have assisted the police not only in this instance, but also over the past 15 years in fighting crime in The Bahamas. "Unless the public gets involved to help the police; they can only do a certain amount. It's time the people are serious about fighting crime and the public has to become involved in helping the police to do their job and put an end to crime in this country, where it can be a safer place for my children and grandchildren to grow up and live," said Mr. Pinder. (Caribbean Net News)
Analysis: Dominican Republic's drug problem
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (UPI): Everything was going according to plan. The blue truck took off from somewhere in the south, toward a destination in the north. Its two occupants only stopped for 10 minutes in one of Quirino Ernesto Paulino Castillo's businesses to discuss issues that could not be spoken about over the telephone.
Driver Tirso Cuevas Nin and Lt.-Col. Lidio Nin Terrero were already on the Duarte freeway en route to the country's richest region when a group of armed men, in black uniforms with yellow letters, waylaid them at a traffic light in the Alcarrizos suburb, about 9 miles from the center of the capital.
"Take care, I am a police colonel," Nin Terrero shouted when he saw that the group angrily moving toward him were members of the National Drug Control Directorate, known by its Spanish initials DNCD. This time it did not work, however. Before he had time to escape, he was handcuffed. A tall blond tall man with a foreign accent said to him, "Relax, we will speak English later."
The truck was transporting more than 1.5 tons of pure cocaine valued at $30 million. It was the largest consignment of illegal drugs seized in the Dominican Republic since the country began being used as a bridgehead by international drug trafficking cartels.
Authorities said Castillo, arrested the same day, was the local head of an international gang that transports illegal drugs from South America to the United States. Nin and Terrero were also members of the cartel. Later, a fourth person was arrested and linked to the case as the individual responsible for the smuggling logistics.
"The drug load arrived by air in southern Elias Pina province, where Castillo has a large ranch and from there it was taken to a company in the duty free zone of Santiago to be flown to the United States," said DNCD spokesman Rafael Bueno Torres.
At the time of his capture, Nin was head of the public jail in Quince de Azua, 105 miles from Santo Domingo and considered one of most secure penal institutions in the country. He and colleagues arrested with him said they were innocent, but gave investigators differing accounts.
Nin said he was at the wrong place at the wrong time. "I was waiting for a bus to go visit a friend in Alcarrizos, when the truck went by and I asked for a ride," he said. "That is what my crime is." Television and radio comedians have found the comments an inexhaustible source of material.
More than a month after the drug shipment was seized, authorities still have only four people in jail, though they said they had been following the case for years. Information disclosed by the DNCD and the U.S. embassy in the country partly explains why the list is so short. Castillo was a captain in the National Army until last September. He enlisted as a lieutenant and was promoted a year later by former President Hipolito Mejia, violating all regulations of the Armed Forces and despite the fact he had a criminal drug record.
His fortune is estimated at more than $1 billion and includes ranches, hotels, helicopters, a fleet of buses and trucks, gas stations, automobile dealerships, import and export businesses and several industries. At the time of his arrest, he was being driven in a new Mercedes Benz. The vehicle was registered to the Senate's vice president, Cesar Augusto Matias. Castillo's family said he had donated money to the country's three main political parties, and was respected by the armed forces and society.
Gen. Jose Estrella, head of the National Army, acknowledged that until September 2004 Castillo supplied the fort in San Juan de la Maguana province with milk and bananas to feed the garrison.
The former president has refused to explain why he promoted Castillo, who at the time was heading a political movement aimed at re-electing Mejia. Regardless, the Dominican Republic's Attorney General anticipates Mejia could be summoned to testify. U.S. Ambassador Hans Hertell revealed Castillo and his cartel have outstanding warrants in the United States, which is why the Bush administration is working on getting Castillo extradited. A New York court wants him on conspiracy and drug trafficking charges.
"We have been following this gang's operations for the past three years," Hertell said. "It took us so long to capture the main responsible because drug trafficking has infiltrated the Dominican Armed Forces, the police and the country's politicians."
He added at least 30 officials of those organizations had been directly implicated in the drugs trade. Hertell noted while the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration had a unit in the country, the information it shared with the DNCD went directly to the drug traffickers, making it nearly impossible to capture them. Although it is assumed Castillo will be extradited, calls are growing for investigations to find all those involved in the operation. (Adalberto Grullon/Tiempos del Mundo)
3 februari 2005
Serving, ex-cops on 100,000 bail for kidnap charge
From left to right in court yesterday are Martin Junior Ramdeen, Devon Forrester, Aubrey Hercules and Troy Williams.
Aubrey Hercules and Devon Forrester, serving policemen, and Troy Williams, an ex-policeman, allegedly abducted Harrikisson called `Davo' on January 27 last.
Also on the same day ex-policeman Martin Junior Ramdeen, allegedly restrained Harrikisson wrongfully.
According to the police report, Williams and Ramdeen approached Hercules and Forrester and requested their assistance to arrest the complainant who reportedly had money for them. The group took a taxi and went to Vreed-en-Hoop where the complainant who is a vendor was standing. The two policemen arrested him and took him to Schoonord, West Bank Demerara where he was allegedly beaten. The complainant later escaped and made a report to the police. The four men were subsequently arrested.
Hercules, Forrester and Williams were not required to plead to the charge of abduction while Ramdeen pleaded not guilty to wrongful restraint. The four have to return to the Vreed-en-Hoop Magis-trate's Court on February 28. (Stabroek News)
Grenada Police Commissioner on extended leave
ST GEORGE'S, Grenada: Grenadian Commissioner of Police, Mr Fitzroy Bedeau, on Tuesday proceeded on vacation leave, which is expected to last approximately seven months.
Assistant Commissioner and long-serving member of the Royal Grenada Police Force Mr Winston James will serve as Acting Commissioner for the duration of Mr. Bedeau’s absence.
Mr. James was enlisted in the Royal Grenada Police Force in 1967, and underwent his initial training at the Regional Police Training Centre in Barbados. His years of service have exposed him to extensive training in the areas of Intelligence, Criminal Investigation and Management among others. Mr. James boasts of a long and distinguish career within the RGPF, and his outstanding service gained him promotions through the ranks to the Office of Assistant Commissioner in September 1990.
He has served in various capacities, in almost every department and branch including that of Divisional Commander. His wealth of experience, a working knowledge of the Force and high professional standards are expected to serve the RGPF well during his tenure. Mr. James is married with children, and presently resides at Mt. Gramby in the Parish of St. John.
The Acting Commissioner will be supported by the following senior Officers:
Mr. James Clarkson Deputy Commissioner
Mr. Wilan Thompson Assistant Commissioner - with responsibility for Crime
Mr. Maurice Darius Assistant Commissioner - with responsibility for Administration
Mr. James assumes the leadership of the Force at a very critical time, as he is charged with the responsibility to chart the course for the RGPF during this period of national reconstruction. This Office of the Acting Commissioner will be at Police Headquarters, Fort George. (Caribbean Net News)
Antigua-Barbuda Attorney General condemns bombing of Minister's family business
Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Justin
Simon. Photo: Maurice F. Merchant
ST. JOHN'S, Antigua: Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Justin Simon has condemned the bombing of Minister Edmond Mansoor family business calling it a heinous criminal act perpetrated on the citizenry of Antigua and Barbuda.
In a statement to the media today, the Attorney General said that it was an intentional calculated criminal act against the Mansoor Family and in particular the recently appointed Minister of Information, Broadcasting, Dr. Edmond Mansoor, who recently has come under serious attacks from supporters loyal to the opposition Antigua Labour Party.
The Minister said that to think otherwise would be naïve. “Since the historic victory of the United Progressive Party Government on March 23, 2004, there has undoubtedly been an unrelenting vilification by certain sections of the electronic media, against Hon. Dr. Edmond Mansoor and his family. This much is clear. There has definitely been a progressive incitement to “race hate” and violence even at a time when the world soberly commemorates the 60th anniversary of the liberation of the survivors of the Holocaust with a message of tolerance, peace and love,” the Hon. Justin Simon outlined.
The Attorney General also made reference to the numerous bombings which occurred in Antigua in the 1970’s when the Antigua Labour Party was also in opposition.
“Fellow citizens, we cannot appear to go down the road of the 1970’s. It is not without some significance that then as now the Antigua Labour Party was in opposition and that then as now ZDK was in their total and manipulative control,” he said.
He said that the incitement to “race hate” has no place in Antigua and Barbuda outlining that his government will do everything to ensure that the citizenry remains protected.
“We have instructed our national security forces to act decisively, taking into account all relevant and surrounding circumstances. I have every confidence that the Police will seek during their investigation to question all those whose words and actions could be linked to this criminal act,” the Attorney General concluded.
The Police Force in Antigua and Barbuda on Tuesday launched an investigation into the early morning bombing of the Hitachi Centre Compound on Market Street and has since taken in a male individual for questioning. (Caribbean Net News)
2 februari 2005
Antigua police investigate early morning bombing of Minister’s family business
The inside of the Hitachi Centre Compound after the
bomb blast
The window of a store opposite the centre which was
damaged by the cement nails used in the device
Two of the cement nails used in the device
Commissioner Rolston Pompey speaking to the media
Photos by Maurice F. Merchant
ST JOHN'S, Antigua: Police in Antigua and Barbuda on Tuesday launched an investigation into the early morning bombing of the Hitachi Centre Compound on Market Street which houses the Medical Practice and Clinic of newly appointed Minister responsible for Information, Broadcasting and Communications Dr. Edmond Mansoor.
At around 2:15 am Tuesday morning police rushed to the scene of an explosion which rocked nearby buildings and was heard for miles on the outskirts of St. John’s. According to Commissioner of Police Rolston Pompey, the device used in the bombing is a new phenomenon to Antigua and Barbuda because it was apparently packed with hundreds of 2 ½ inch cement nails which destroyed the steel gate entrance of the premises and pierced the walls and glass showcases of nearby business places.
Commissioner Pompey although refusing to link recent attacks on the Mansoor family in the media by known persons sympathetic to another political party in Antigua and Barbuda to the bombing; said that both incidents are being investigated and are being treated separately.
Minister Mansoor has been the subject of numerous talk shows and call in programmes on the island after he quoted a statement from the United Progressive Party Election Manifesto which made reference, unfavourable to some, to the late Prime Minister of the country V.C. Bird Sr. The attacks in the media on Mansoor, who is Antiguan and Barbudan by birth of Middle Eastern parentage, have ranged from racial comments to being referred to as “Al-Qaeda looking.” Mansoor recently filed official complaints about the comments to the police.
Dr. Edmond Mansoor, who is a medial practitioner, has worked in politics for a number of years and is credited as one of the architects of the campaign strategy which unseated former Prime Minister Lester Bird in the constituency of St. John’s Rural East during the March 2004 general elections.
In a press statement Tuesday, Commissioner Pompey said that the attack was designed to drive fear into persons and his department is not taking the occurrence lightly and will be deploying additional officers to patrol the streets and investigate the matter. (Caribbean Net News)
Gun runners among 19 netted in weekend raid
According to a press release from the Police Public Relations Department, areas targeted in the raid that netted 19 persons were: Agricola, Grove and New Hope on the East Bank Demerara and Charlotte Street, Lamaha Embankment and Tiger Bay, Cummingsburg in the city.
Along with the 19 arrested persons, several houses were searched and a quantity of stolen items recovered. The police say among the arrested persons were suspects wanted for illegally dealing in firearms, robbery under arms and several house breaking offences. Investigations are continuing and charges will be laid shortly. (Stabroek News)