Gang leader held, two guns seized
Two illegal firearms were seized and eight people arrested during police exercises between Saturday night and yesterday morning. One of the guns was recovered by officers of the North Eastern Division Task Force (NEDTF) while they were searching an empty lot next to the home of a 26-year-old gang leader from Evelyn Trace, El Socorro, San Juan, on Saturday night. 

After finding the .38 Colt revolver and five rounds of ammunition, the officers, led by Sgt Cornelius Samuel, searched the man’s home and allegedly found 33 grammes of marijuana. The suspect clashed with the officers while being handcuffed and was eventually subdued, along with a male relative. The suspect’s 53-year-old mother also reportedly got involved in the fracas but was not detained by police. 

In addition to marijuana possession, the gang leader is expected to be charged with obstructing officers in the execution of their duties, resisting arrest and using obscene language. Police are also expected to issue a summons to his mother for obstructing them. No one was charged for the illegal gun as it could not be linked to the gang leader. He and his male relative will appear in court this morning to answer the charges. 

Cpls Quashie and Small and PCs Antoine, Duncan and Voisin were involved in the exercise. Meanwhile, the other gun was recovered by Northern Division Police during a stop-and-search exercise in Trincity on Sunday morning. 

Police said around 5.30 am, officers were on patrol in Orange Grove, Trincity, when they stopped a white Nissan AD wagon with six male occupants. A .38 revolver and six rounds of ammunition was found hidden under the driver seat. All six men were arrested and were charged with firearm possession. They will appear in the Arima Magistrate’s Court this morning. 

15 foreigners held in brothel raid 
A businessman from central Trinidad has been detained for questioning in relation to a prostitution ring after 15 foreign nationals were found during a raid on his bar on Friday night. According to reports, officers of the Central Division, led by Insp Hosein and Jitindra Toolaram, raided the popular bar in Chase Village, Freeport, after receiving numerous complaints from residents. 

In addition to scores of patrons, police found 15 foreign nationals—13 women and two men—they believed to be engaged in prostitution. The owner and the foreigners were arrested and remained detained by police up to late yesterday. 

The foreigners, all of whom are believed to have entered the country illegally, were being questioned by Immigration officials and detectives of the Counter Trafficking Unit up to late yesterday. The operation included roadblocks, raids and searches throughout the division, which resulted in the arrest of 14 other people who were detained for drug possession, obscene language, larceny, shooting and robbery offenses. 

The exercise was co-ordinated by Senior Supt Forde, Supts Kenny Mc Intyre and Grant and ASP Ajith Persad. 

Man charged with Point murder
Four months after Stephan Sinnette was killed in his home, a 24-year-old man has been charged with his murder. The accused, of Production Drive, Sea Lots, is expected to appear before a Point Fortin magistrate today charged with murdering Sinnette on July 8.

Sinnette, of Beach Road, Chatham, was shot several times. Officers said he was involved in a fight with a man, whom he allegedly chopped about the face and hand. When officers went to his home to arrest him, Sinnette was discovered lying dead in a pool of blood in the living room of his house. PC Nelson of Region Three Homicide Bureau conducted investigations.

Meanwhile, the 17-year-old son of two police officers attached to the San Fernando City police, will also appear before a San Fernando magistrate today, charged with four separate robberies.
The teenager of Union Hall, San Fernando, was arrested during an exercise by police officers on Friday. He appeared on several identification parades and was later charged with the robberies which occurred in Princes Town, San Fernando and Barrackpore.

Opposition leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar is wishing her opponents Vasant Bharath and Dr Roodal Moonilal good luck in their attempt to remove her from the helm of the party’s leadership. Both men, who are long-standing United National Congress members, are contesting for the political leader post in the UNC’s December 5 internal elections.

Speaking briefly to reporters during Divali celebrations at her Siparia constituency office on Saturday night, Persad-Bissessar shied away from commenting on the three-way race. Asked if she was surprised that Bharath had thrown his hat in the ring, however, Persad-Bissessar said: “I wish them luck. I can say more but not now, maybe after Divali. This is not the place to speak about that.”

Her annual celebrations were not as well attended as in previous years. Most of the reserved seats at the front of the stage remained empty, as none of her elected Parliamentary colleagues attended the celebrations. Dressed in a red and gold sari, Persad-Bissessar and her niece Lisa Harry performed puja for an hour before she walked over to her guests and distributed parsad.

Princes Town MP Barry Padarath, who is supporting Persad-Bissessar in the elections said, he had his own constituency celebrations on Saturday night but planned to attend Persad-Bissessar’s celebrations later on. Fyzabad MP Lackram Bodoe, who has also thrown his support behind Persad-Bissessar, said he could not attend the celebrations in Penal as he was hosting his own light-up in Fyzabad.

“I am quite pleased that the internal elections has been called. 

“The current political leader at this time is the right person to be given the role to continue to restructure the party,” Bodoe said.

“Based on her previous achievements and potential to carry the party forward, as well as her ability to embrace and enhance leadership, I am supporting her at this point in time.” 

Bharath confirmed his decision to contest on Sunday after a final meeting with his slate, which includes UNC San Juan/Barataria MP Fuad Khan. Several East-West corridor UNC units are also supporting Bharath. Khan said Bharath’s supporters included MPs Ramona Ramdial, Rudy Indarsingh, Bhoe Tewarie and ex-UNC ministers Brent Sancho, Stacy Roopnarine, Steven Cadiz, Garvin Nicholas and Jairam Seemungal. 

Sources said Persad-Bissessar has support from Padarath, Bodoe, Suruj Rambachan, Rodney Charles, Rushton Paray and David Lee. Moonilal’s supporters include MP Tim Gopeesingh, who will contest the chairmanship on his slate, Gerry Yetming, ex-CNMG CEO Ken Ali, former Office of the Prime Minister aide Francis Joseph and Kevan Gibbs.

Police are yet to charge the 36-year-old labourer captured brutally assaulting his 26-year-old girlfriend at a bar in Arima last week. The suspect, an employee of the Customs and Excise Board, remained detained at the Arouca Police Station up to late yesterday as investigators attempted to wrap up their investigation against him. 

Police sources said investigators were having difficulty in charging the suspect as the victim, who has a nine-year-old son with him, has repeatedly refused to give a statement on the incident or be medically examined. 

However, investigators were said to be consulting with the T&T Police Service’s legal department and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to determine if the man could be charged without the victim’s evidence.

The T&T Guardian understands that the victim, who lives at the suspect’s home with their child and his mother, visited the station on Saturday to deliver food and clothing for her alleged attacker. Contacted yesterday, the suspect’s attorney, Fareed Ali, confirmed that his client had not been charged and called on investigators to act quickly as his client had been in custody for over 48 hours.  

“It has already been 48-plus hours my client has been in custody and the discomfort of a cell and its environs is frustrating for a humble man of simple means,” Ali said. 

Ali described the public’s reaction to a video of the incident being circulated on social networking site Facebook as exaggerated and a “storm inside a teacup.” 

“Public perception seems to be ruling the investigation, so they (police) may be pressured to do something. This woman has not given a statement, how can a charge for bodily harm be proffered against my client?” Ali said.  

The attack allegedly took place last Thursday afternoon while the woman was liming with friends at Nella’s Sports Bar along the Arima Old Road, Arima. 

In the 49-second clip captured by the bar’s CCTV camera and later shared on social media, the suspect is seen attacking the seated victim with a metal object. After the victim collapsed on the floor, the man is seen kicking her repeatedly. The suspect surrendered to police in the company of the victim the following day. 

Investigations are continuing.

A Port-of-Spain priest is calling on gun-toting criminals to hand over their weapons to the police and embrace God. Making the call yesterday for parents, guardians, teachers, politicians, taxi drivers and even parish priests to wake up, interim rector at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, Rev Carl Williams, told the congregation: “It is time to put the guns down, get a life and listen to God.”

Delivering the homily on the 55th anniversary of the Trinidad and Tobago National Council of Parent Teacher Associations’ Interfaith Service, Williams blamed the current state of society on the lack of spiritual education and religious upbringing which was non-existent in many families.

Referring to the general sense of lawlessness, criminality and gang warfare which exists, he said the senseless and unimaginable violence that occurs daily, resulting in the death of young men in the prime of their lives, cannot be allowed to continue.

“Something is wrong with T&T’s soul. The situation in the country is sad and it makes me sad,” Williams said. He went further to explain that the local culture continued to glorify violence, which could be seen in the easy access to high-powered weapons, directly resulting in the increased number of murders taking place.

Claiming that many of the nation’s young men were being forced to lie down in death, Williams said a deeper probe was necessary to determine why children were unhappy, even as parents continued to work hard to provide material desires. 

However, he said that this appeared not to be enough. He said children were being influenced into a culture of violence from a young age through the lyrics of gangster rap music, as well as the actions they continue to witness in their communities, schools and homes.

Saying many children in today’s society were more familiar with the sound of gunfire than the chimes of an ice-cream truck, Williams urged the population to demand change, as he said gunrunners and criminals could not be allowed to continue to wage war on society.

Acknowledging the work done by the National Parent Teacher Association (NPTA) to assist children in staying on the right path, Williams called on churches to become more involved in the lives of these young parishioners. He called on all churches to introduce homework centres as one way to ensure children were supervised and not involved in nefarious activities.

“All guns do is kill people,” Williams said, adding the time had come to put the weapons down. Endorsing Williams’s call was retired head of the T&T Cadet Force Col Edison Isaac, who said parents and guardians had to accept greater responsibility for their lack of action to change the situation. He said some parents needed to conduct an internal analysis as they searched for answers regarding their child’s activities.

“The country is in for a rough ride if this is how we are going to go,” Isaac said. Agreeing that the nation’s children were not going as they should, Bishop Barbara Gray-Burke called on irresponsible fathers to look after their children, even as she urged parents to carefully monitor their children’s comings and goings.

Also delivering brief remarks was head of the NPTA Zena Ramatali, who spoke of the organisation’s accomplishments.

Reverend Carl Williams, of the Anglican Church, is calling on youths to “put down their guns” as one way to solve the wave of violence that is sweeping the country.

“Our young men of T&T need to listen to the voice of God. We need to criticise the violence of these youths and those young men need to get rid of their guns. It is now an epidemic in T&T. It is the young black males who are committing these crimes,” he said.

Williams was speaking yesterday at the Remembrance Day Sunday service at the Anglican Church, Trinity Cathedral, Abercromby Street, Port-of-Spain.

After his sermon, which many felt may have broken the tradition by not dealing with the usual topic of the period which is used to pay tribute to those who died in the two world wars, a procession was held to the Garden of Peace on the cathedral compound to remember the victims of past wars and also victims of gun violence in T&T.

During his sermon Williams spoke about “consequences” for young people who break the law and commit crimes. “Enough is enough. We need to stop this violence as it has gone too far. I do not understand how one person can take the life of another person,” he said.

He blamed lack of parental guidance for young people taking up a life of crime and said the church and civil society must provide an alternative.

“There is no need for guns. We need to talk to each other. In the newspapers, when we see pictures of people shot to death lying on the ground, that is a cowardly act. 

“We need to mentor our young boys and show them love, or else we will have another generation taking revenge because of their dead parents. The church is also offering anger management classes,” he said. He also pointed to crime statistics of over 300 people being killed this year in T&T.

“We are going to put up plaques of all those who have been killed in this country so that people can remember them. It is not only the victims of past wars we will remember, but also of the violence in this country,” Williams said.

He said the crime scourge is not a problem for T&T only, however, since the phenomenon is occurring all over the Caribbean and the region must look for solutions.

My name is Bhisham Maharaj and I carry the duty-free liquor to planes at the airport.

I’m from Manzanilla. Live the same place all my life. I just turned 49 and I’m working with the (same family) since age nine. 

My father used to work there with them so I used to go help him cut lawn. Is [the same] one family who owned the duty-free store.

I went Sangre Chiquito Presbyterian School, Five Rivers Junior Sec, then Northeastern College. But I suffered real bad with asthma so, most of the time, I was out of school. 

I never finish the exams because, whenever I start to study, I had to come out the class, because I start to panic. 

If I had a little more education, I might have been a lot better off. But common sense does reach plenty way!

If I take on any stress, I get the asthma. I don’t have it so strong again because I get to know what cause it: you have to relax; anytime you take on anything, so it come on.

As an asthmatic, you can’t study the asthma, you have to do the work. The money, the amount of things you have to do, to make ends meet. I couldn’t study the sickness. Dry season, the amount of dust, when you finish cutting lawn, your skin white with dust! But you have to go at it.
 
After 27 years, me and my wife break up. Work hard, Sunday to Sunday, build my house everything, I had to leave it. The woman just feel she get young since she marry (off) the daughter and she pick up this young guy I didn’t know anything about, because I work my life out, just working to make them happy. And I just leave everything, get out of the place, and gone back by my parents. Build up a little place and I living there. Is hurt me to know but that’s life.
 
I believe in God. That is what have me alive. Else I’d be six feet under! It not easy. You know how many times I’s be driving up that [Manzanilla] stretch and just forget everything? Just go blank? That’s why I telling you I believe in God.
 
My daughter is 26, married and in Toronto. As she get citizenship, my wife leave me next day. My daughter tell me, “Daddy, don’t study nothing. I with you.” She always wanted a house in Toco so that’s where we heading to.
 
You get more outside but the Trini food is really the best.
 
I never look for my wife, never take it on. Else I’d be down! But I have real people, good people behind me, who helping me with this, day-by-day. Is going two years now and like I can’t get over it. I’s come to work and nobody don’t know what I going through. I try to be happy and laugh. Help out the passenger and them.
 
We don’t have no boss over we. You have something to do, you do it. When alcohol come, you have to receive it and bring it in. You have to make sure the people who buy they alcohol collect it before they board. But they cut alcohol sale off an hour before the flight, so you have plenty time to reach upstairs. We’s try to be on time.

The most I ever carried up for one flight was over 60 parcels. That is Carnival time, people buying Hennessey White. You don’t get it in the States and, if they do get it, is US$100, they say. So that is the most fastest selling thing in any store in the duty free.
 
The best part about my job is that it have no boss over we. When you have a boss over your head, the work’s be stressful. If the boss come and he need something to do, he just say, “I want this do” and we do it. So the work easy.
 
A Trini is somebody who like minding other people business. Ask them anything about people and they know—but they don’t know about they own self!
 
Trinidad & Tobago is a paradise, really, still. My daughter living in Canada, she have everything. But, when she resign, she say she have to come back to Trinidad.
 
Read a longer version of this feature at www.BCRaw.com

Tamiflu, a prescriptive drug used to treat the H1N1 influenza or the seasonal flu, is running out at the nation’s hospitals. Relatives of patients who are being treated for the influenza are also finding it difficult to get the drugs at private pharmacies. Tamiflu is used to treat the flu (influenza) in people two weeks of age and older.

In an interview yesterday, Chan Sookoo, whose relative is being treated at the San Fernando General Hospital, said he checked several pharmacies for the drug but was unable to get any. “Why is it the doctors are prescribing this if it is not available?” Sookoo said. 

Relatives of a Point Fortin security officer currently warded at the Intensive Care Unit also said it was difficult getting the drug. “We checked in pharmacies throughout Debe, Duncan Village, San Fernando and Marabella and we could not get it. Eventually we managed to get ten tablets at a pharmacy in La Romaine,” a relative added. 

She also said that it was difficult to get the season influenza vaccination which is taken as a precaution in the prevention of swine flu.

Last week, Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh assured that there was no shortage of the H1N1 vaccination. The virus has resulted in the deaths of four people since the 2009 pandemic. Deyalsingh said those who have had direct contact with ailing patients should get the vaccination at their local health centres. He made arrangements for relatives of the security officer to get vaccinated at the Debe Health Centre.

However, checks by the T&T Guardian revealed that more than half a dozen public health centres remain without vaccination supplies. These include the Penal, Icacos, Fyzabad, Freeport, Indian Walk, Gasparillo and Pleasantville health centres. Officials from other centres have been giving the vaccinations at specific times. 

A source at the Erin Health Centre said the vaccine can be obtained on Thursday at 11 am. Officials at Palo Seco said the vaccination was not available to the public. “We don’t have the amount that we ordered so we are trying to vaccinate the staff first. We have ordered but we are told it is in short supply,” an official said.

A staff member at the Guapo Health Centre said vaccinations were brought for the staff members alone. However, another batch was expected to be delivered by the end of the month.

Fyzabad Health Centre officials said they do not know when they will get the vaccination. La Brea Health Centre officials said they usually administer vaccinations to members of the public from 10.30 am on Wednesdays, while Macoya and Penal Health Centre officials said vaccinations are given at 1 pm and 2.30 pm on Wednesdays. Arouca and Brother’s Road Health centres also confirmed that vaccinations are given on Mondays. 

T&T has already recorded its fourth confirmed death from the highly contagious H1N1 Influenza (swine flu), which accounted for over 14,000 deaths worldwide in 2009. The latest death was that of Siparia mother Cherrie Ryce, 46, who died at the San Fernando General Hospital in October 17.

SWRHA head responds
Contacted for comment, chief executive officer of the South West Regional Health Authority Anil Gosine said the influenza vaccination was available at San Fernando General Hospital. He said during an executive meeting there was no mention of any vaccination shortages.

Asked whether the Government should increase its orders, Gosine said the vaccinations will be brought into T&T as required. He said it is supplied to the Chief Medical Officer of Health for all the counties, who then distribute it to the health centres. A senior ministry source said only those who are at high risk for contracting the virus are given the vaccination.
 

Janielee Kelly
Student, 
Hugh Wooding Law School

This article examines some of the laws in Trinidad and Tobago as they relate to or impact on lesbian and gay people. Many of the laws appear to be intolerant of or simply do not afford rights to the LGBT community which others have and enjoy.

Dispelling a common misconception regarding homosexuality
A common misconception is that a person’s status as a homosexual is against the law. However, there is no law that deems homosexuality illegal. There are, however, laws that deem buggery an act often associated with homosexuality illegal.

Anti-Sodomy Laws
Section 13 (2) of the Sexual Offences Act Chap. 11:28 defines buggery as sexual intercourse per anum by a male person with a male person or by a male person with a female person. Section 13 (1) makes buggery an offence and makes any person who is found guilty of buggery liable on conviction to imprisonment—
• if committed by an adult on a minor, for life;
• if committed by an adult on another adult, for 25 years; and
• if committed by a minor, for five years.
In addition, there are also laws that restrict homosexual couples’ ability to get married in Trinidad and Tobago.

Laws governing marriage are limited to heterosexual marriage (male and female)
While the Marriage Act Chap. 45:01 does not expressly specify that parties to a marriage must be male and female, Section 13 (1) (c) of the Matrimonial Proceedings and Property Act Chap. 45:51 provides that a marriage shall be void on the ground that the parties are not respectively male and female.

What does this mean for same-sex couples?
This has an impact on the everyday lives of same-sex couples who wish to be married but are prevented from doing so by law. Unmarried same sex partners have:
• a lack of rights to inherit property from their partner unless a will is written;
• a lack of economic benefits which spouses are entitled to by virtue of their marriage; and
• a lack of next of kin rights since a partner in the relationship is not given the status of wife or husband who is able to make important legal decisions on the other’s behalf (for example when one partner is incapacitated).
Immigration

Gays and lesbians who are not citizens or residents of Trinidad and Tobago fall within a class of people who are prohibited from entering the country. 

Section 8 (1) (e) of the Immigration Act Chap. 18:01 provides that prostitutes, homosexuals or people living on the earnings of prostitutes or homosexuals, or people reasonably suspected as coming to Trinidad and Tobago for these or any other immoral purposes, are prohibited from entering the country. 

Although it appears that this law is rarely enforced, it remains on the law books. The significant discrimination that would result if it were enforced is readily apparent. “Sexual orientation” not included in Equal Opportunity Act

Despite the fact that the Equal Opportunity Act Chap. 22:03 is the main piece of legislation in Trinidad and Tobago designed to protect all citizens from certain kinds of discrimination, “sexual orientation” is explicitly excluded from the statuses protected under Section 3 of the Act. 

This means that gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transsexuals are not protected against discrimination by laws that were designed to do just that.

n This column is not legal advice. If you have a legal problem, you should consult a legal adviser. 

Trinidad born André Alexis has won this year’s Scotiabank Giller Prize for his novel Fifteen Dogs. Alexis won this award on Tuesday night at a ceremony which was held at Toronto’s Ritz-Carlton hotel.

The prize, which is worth $100,000 Canadian ($482,000 TT), plus potentially more in book sales, is generally regarded as Canada’s most distinguished literary award.

“I didn’t think that I was going to win it. I never think that I’m going to win anything. My own feeling is that if you get too absorbed in thinking about winning and losing, then you get disappointed if you lose and you get too weird if you win. I like to keep myself on an even keel,” he said.

Fifteen Dogs is about what it means to be human. Two Gods, Hermes and Apollo, make a bet about human happiness. They grant 15 dogs staying at a veterinary clinic the power of human consciousness. The dogs instantly become divided between those who prefer their old dog ways and those who want to take advantage of their newfound increased intelligence.

Alexis, who also won the Rogers Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize last week, has now earned two of Canada’s three major fiction awards.

Alexis, 58, was born in Trinidad, raised in Ottawa and now lives in Toronto. Last month Marlon James, a Jamaican national who now resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota, won the Booker prize for his novel Seven Killings. The Booker Prize is considered Britain’s most prestigious literary award. 

Source: The Globe and Mail, Canada 

As the two-and-a-half-year investigation into Emailgate finally draws to a close, evidence so far unearthed seems to point in one inevitable direction—the case is caving in.

Reliable sources last night admitted that charges were unlikely to be proffered against anyone given the daunting task of proving beyond a reasonable doubt details of a criminal conspiracy involving the most senior government officials of the former People’s Partnership administration.

“Put it this way, we can’t prove or disprove the allegations contained in thread of emails,” a source close to the investigation confided to the T&T Guardian.

“We have been able to corroborate certain events listed in the emails but that can’t stand on its own,” the source added.

With the assistance of the United States Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigations, local investigators were able to retrieve emails from the accounts of former prime minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar (kamlapb1@gmail.com): former attorney general Anand Ramlogan (anand@tstt.com): former national security minister Gary Griffith (captaingarygriffith@hotmail.com: and former government minister Dr Suruj Rambachan (surujrambachan@hotmail.com) for the month of September 2012.

Sources said investigators were unable to match the emails disclosed in May 2013 by then opposition leader, now Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley, to the emails disclosed by US email service providers Google Inc and Hotmail, even though steps were taken in 2013 by the US Department of Justice, acting on a request from the police through the Central Authority Unit, to preserve the archives of the four named individuals.

One investigator said last night that the six-month delay before the emails were made public could have contributed to this. Rowley said in 2013 that he had approached then president George Maxwell Richards and then Integrity Commission chairman Kenneth Gordon, six months earlier, after he received the thread of emails, seeking their intervention. 

It was only after he confirmed that neither office holder had taken any action, did he read the emails in Parliament during a debate of no confidence in then prime minister Persad-Bissessar.

Investigators were able to confirm many details contained in the emails, including an Ash Wednesday meeting in 2013, where Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard, SC, was summoned to a meeting with Chief Justice Ivor Archie at the Hall of Justice, Port-of-Spain.

Reliable sources said  Gaspard provided a detailed statement to investigators about his meeting with Archie but the Chief Justice requested investigators to put their questions in writing and he responded to some but did not affix his signature to the document.

It was alleged in the emails that Archie was being pressured by government ministers to appoint Gaspard as judge of the High Court but Gaspard, who has the final say on whether criminal charges can be filed against someone or not, never applied for such a post. 

Another claim made in the emails was to spy on the DPP to know his every move.

A June 3, 2013 Special Branch report, signed by Supt Gary Gould, then head of the Special Branch of the Police Service, also confirmed that during a sweep of the DPP’s Richmond Street, Port-of-Spain, head office, evidence was found that someone was using high-tech lasers to listen in on conversations in the main conference room and one of the main meeting rooms.

Gaspard has recused himself from advising police investigators in the matter, since he was a material witness and appointed Deputy DPP Joan Honore-Paul to deal with it. Honore-Paul had to caution Persad-Bissessar in May 2015, after the Integrity Commission concluded its probe, saying the police were far from done with their investigations and the case was still wide open. 

She had publicly chastised Persad-Bissessar after the then prime minister called for an end to the probe in the face of a document from the United States Department of Justice.

Honore-Paul stated then that it was wrong for Persad-Bissessar to release the contents of US DOJ report, which was provided to the police, saying that the treaty under which this information was provided prohibited anyone else other than the national security parties probing the matter to use it.

Persad-Bissessar had used the document during a motion of no confidence against Rowley, which resulted in his suspension from Parliament over his claims related to Emailgate two years earlier. 

Emailgate history

The Emailgate allegations were first made public by Dr Keith Rowley on May 20, 2013, when he read in Parliament a thread of 31 email messages purporting to be a conversation between four people, whose email accounts bore striking similarities to those of the then prime minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, then attorney general Anand Ramlogan, then national security advisor Gary Griffith and then government minister Suruj Rambachan.

The conversation focused on the publication of a story in the T&T Guardian newspaper about the proclamation of Section 34 of the Administration of Justice (Indictable Offence) Amendment Act on August 31, 2012; a conspiracy to murder investigative reporter Denyse Renne, who had been pursuing the story, and the removal of the Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard, SC, from office, among other illegal and nefarious acts.

The proclamation of Section 34 sparked widespread outrage and a spontaneous public demonstration, as it was viewed as specially crafted legislation to benefit United National Congress financiers Ishwar Galbaransingh and Steve Ferguson, who are charged with a series of criminal offences relating to the $1.6 billion Piarco Airport Development Project. 

In the face of the outcry, the then Persad-Bissessar government convened an emergency hearing of Parliament in early September 2013 and repealed the law.

 Former High Court judge and then justice minister Herbert Volney, who introduced Section 34 to the legislation, which in effect provided an escape clause for people charged with serious crimes, including fraud, to seek a dismissal if their cases were not determined within ten years, was fired.

Galbaransingh and Ferguson remain wanted in the United States for fraud offences relating to the same project but a High Court judge ruled that the proper forum for them to face trial was in T&T. The State never challenged the High Court ruling.

The Privy Council last month reserved its decision on a challenge filed by two of the Piarco defendants which challenged the repeal of Section 34 as unconstitutional.

In May 2015, the Integrity Commission closed its parallel investigation into the matter, saying there were “insufficient grounds” to pursue the probe. That statement triggered the sudden resignation of deputy chairman of the Integrity Commission Sebastian Ventour, a retired High Court judge and fellow commissioner Shelly-Anne Lalchan.

Ventour went on to criticise the commission’s chairman Zainool Hosein, a retired Appeal Court judge, saying the statement issued by the body was incorrect. He said the Emailgate investigation and the information the commission received involved just Persad-Bissessar and Ramlogan but said nothing about the other individuals (Griffith and Rambachan) also under investigation. 

Deputy Commissioner of Police Glenn Hackett, who is overseeing the police probe into the matter, said yesterday that the investigators received the information from Hotmail in September and they were currently perusing the voluminous data.

The Special Reserve Police (SRP) constable who fatally shot PC Govindra Ramroop at the Guapo Police Station last Thursday has been sent on leave. 

A senior police officer said the officer was given time off while he underwent counselling but other officers said it was also to facilitate the investigation into Ramroop’s death. The officer was also attached to the Rapid Response Unit to which Ramroop was also assigned.

Reports are that Ramroop, the offending officer and another colleague had just returned to the station after responding to a report from a woman who claimed she was receiving death threats. 

While the offending officer was clearing his gun it discharged, hitting Ramroop at the side of his abdomen. He was taken to the Point Fortin Area Hospital where he died while undergoing emergency treatment.

Initial reports suggested that the gun went off accidentally. Another senior officer said the Region Three Homicide Bureau was probing all angles. The offending officer has given a statement to investigators, sources said.

Meanwhile, Ramroop’s colleagues and members of his family are expected to be counselled by members of the T&T Police Service’s (TTPS) Victim and Witness Support Unit.

Ramroop, 25, of Laltoo Trace, Penal, was married for just over a year and was hoping to start his own family. Speaking by telephone yesterday, his brother, Garvin Ramroop, said they expected to meet with homicide detectives today to get an update on the investigation. He agreed with comments made by acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams at his brother’s funeral that guns do not accidentally discharge themselves and that if anyone was found culpable, action would be taken. 

However, he was unsure whether other senior officers shared Williams’ view, saying that most of them labelled his brother’s death as an accident. “We are pleased in a sense that the Commissioner of Police said that but he would not be directly overseeing the investigation. 

‘I can agree with that but it is how many officers will agree to what he said because before he made that statement other senior officers were saying that it was an accident.

“As head of Police Service, the commissioner said guns cannot discharge itself and I want to know if they will be following up with regards to the officer. 

“I basically think that in this case, the guy should already be charged because a gun cannot fire on its own. The only thing they should be checking is whether it is homicide or manslaughter. They are still lingering on whether it is an accident or not,” Garvin said. He suggested that the Police Service train its officers on the proper use of firearms every six months and should make it mandatory for them to undergo regular testing. He stressed that the service needed to be more proactive in terms of firearm safety.

“Apparently when they train officers and they come out, some forget how to use a firearm. A firearm is not something to play with or forget how to use,” he added.

Several major cases that grabbed headlines over the last year have been completed and sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for consultation, following which instructions will be given to the police as to whether charges will be laid.

Among those were allegations of misappropriating money out of the Children’s Life Fund. Making the statement was Deputy Police Commissioner in charge of Crime, Glen Hackett, during yesterday’s weekly press briefing at the Police Administration Building, Port-of-Spain.

Hackett, who tabled some 14 matters to members of the media, said investigations into other cases were expected to be completed before the end of this month. He said a file compiled by Fraud Squad investigators regarding the Children’s Life Fund probe had been submitted to the DPP.

“We are now seeking advice and this advice will now formalise the way forward with respect to this matter. So I expect that in the near future we should have some successful culmination,” Hackett said.

On the controversial wrecked fire truck that cost taxpayers $6.8 million to retrieve, he said officers had been working closely with the DPP and a “successful culmination” was expected in the near future. On November 17, 2012, fire tender No 504 slipped 150 metres off the roadway in Blanchisseuse and had to be retrieved from the precipice. 

The vehicle was purchased in February, 2006, for $2.2 million. Following the accident which occurred seven years later from the date of purchase, it was retrieved for $6.8 million. The recommendation was made by the Chief Fire Officer and brought to the Cabinet for approval by the then minister of national security Jack Warner. Some 20 months after the death of baby Simeon Cottle, the case has now been completed.

The baby died when his head was sliced open during a caesarean section at the Mt Hope Maternity Hospital in March, 2014. 

Hackett said the Police Service had received two independent opinions of “highly competent” obstetricians and gynaecologists and the file was to be presented to the DPP to seek advice. He said the process was expected to be completed before the end of the month.

Asked why some of these matters took so long to be completed and some have not yet been completed, Hackett said the information, including documents, had not been forthcoming. He said in conducting the probes the police had to look at the level of thoroughness which included not only laying charges but ensuring there was sufficient evidence when the case was presented.

Probes to be completed

On the Emailgate issue Hackett said the police had received information pertaining to two outstanding accounts but described one as “voluminous in nature.”

“Our IT persons are currently scrutinising the contents of the accounts,” Hackett said, adding that when that process was completed the police would seek advice from the DPP.

Regarding the prison break on July 24, which resulted in the shooting death of Constable Sherman Maynard, 27, Hackett said a team of investigators, led by the Homicide Investigations Bureau, has been assigned the probe and 154 people have been interviewed and statements recorded.

“We have also made progress with the technological aspects of this investigation and I have been given the assurance that this investigation will be completed before December 31, 2015,” Hackett said.

Allan “Scanny” Martin, one of the accused in the Vindra Naipaul-Coolman murder, was killed during the brazen midday escape as he and Christopher “Monster” Selby and Hassan Atwell, shot their way out of the Port-of-Spain prison on Frederick Street. Atwell was found dead just before Selby had turned himself in. On the murder of prisons superintendent David Millette, he said this investigation was also ongoing.

Regarding claims of fraud at St Michael’s Home for Boys in Diego Martin, Hackett said the matter, which was also headed by the Fraud Squad, was also not yet completed, adding that he could not give a definite date when it would be completed. “This is because the investigation has not yet reached a stage where I can reasonably predict the end of the investigation,” Hackett added.

Investigations of alleged contract irregularities between Petrotrin and Mexican shipping firm Maritima de Ecologia SA de CV (Maritima) is also continuing. Hackett said while several documents had been obtained it was still too premature to give an estimated time of completion. He also assured that the investigation into the alleged discovery of marijuana at the private residence of former prime minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar two years ago would also be completed before the end of this month. 

Hackett said acting ACP Ainsley Garrick, who is heading the probe, had said two key people, through their attorneys, had recently submitted statements.

Prisongate soon to be decided
The Prisongate matter which had commenced under retired ACP Donald Denoon has reached a “critical juncture” and was expected to be completed soon. The Prisongate matter arose following a ruling in the Jamal Sambury assault claim against the State to warrant a criminal investigation of conspiracy to pervert the course of public justice and conspiracy to defraud the State.

Hackett said ACP Vincel Edwards was now heading the probe and several people had already been interviewed. “The investigation has reached a critical juncture and the investigators are now poised to take decisive action. 

“However, they would first consult with the DPP and I expect this investigation would be completed before the end of 2015,” Hackett said.

Former Solicitor General Eleanor Honeywell-Donaldson resigned after she raised the issue with then prime minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who in turn referred the matter to then attorney general Anand Ramlogan, for determination. 

The allegations surround bogus civil claims filed by prisoners and the settlement of same for significant sums of money paid out by the State.

Forensic firm for Life Sport
Regarding allegations of corruption and other wrongdoing of the controversial Life Sport programme, which allegedly siphoned over $400 million to criminal gangs, Hackett said while the police had made steady progress, the “greatest challenge” was the collection of documentary evidence.

“This was against a backdrop of inefficient record-keeping practices. 

“However, we have to date in our possession approximately 98 per cent of all the relevant documents and at this time we have initiated the requisite process towards engaging the services of a reputable accounting firm to undertaking a forensic exercise to further advance our investigation,” Hackett said.

He said the police was also in constant consultation with the DPP regarding the matter.

Former Life Sport director, Ruth Marchan, Hackett said, was never a State witness nor was she ever in protective custody.

“Ruth Marchan was a pivotal figure with respect to activities that took place at Life Sport and as such she will be interviewed. She was interviewed in the past with respect to another matter. 

“She has not been fully interviewed with respect to Life Sport,” Hackett added.

Earlier this year Marchan was arrested in Florida and charged with shoplifting.

Scores of people on social media yesterday called on the police to investigate a claim by a boy he was sexually assaulted by two men at a house along the East/West Corridor. The boy made the claim in a short video which was posted online which went viral.

In the video, the boy seems to be sitting on a stool at Independence Square, Port-of-Spain, and calls the names of his attackers. He also gave a description of his assailants down to the shoes they were wearing. Neither the boy’s age nor if any of his relatives were aware of the attack at the time the video was made could be determined by the short clip.

But social media users yesterday expressed outrage and disgust over the video and the person who made it, noting that individuals may have known the boy’s attackers. Contacted on the issue, Assistant Police Commissioner Carlton Alleyne called for relatives of the boy to come forward and make a report.

In a brief telephone interview yesterday, Alleyne said: “He can’t give consent at that age to have sexual interaction. If his parents are aware they should make a report and investigate the matter. “On what information they have they should get involved and do something. It is wrong if they are interfereing with a young person. 

“That can’t be right and can be put right by persons if they are aware and let them report it to the police and do an investigation.” Also contacted yesterday, public education and communications manager of the Children’s Authority, Cheryl Moses-Williams, said she was not aware of the video and asked for a copy. 

However, in a press release yesterday evening the authority said it found the content of videos circulating on social media involving children very disturbing. It said once videos were brought to its attention it would contact the Child Protection Unit of the Police Service to conduct investigations and put its own emergency response team on standby to support the police.

It added that if it was determined the children involved in the videos were in need of care and protection, the authority would intervene. The authority also reminded the public that child protection was everybody’s business and urged the public to report videos of child abuse to the police.

Tests done for H1N1 by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) on swabs taken from a Point Fortin security officer have come back positive.

San Fernando General Hospital (SFGH) medical director Dr Anand Chatoorgoon said yesterday the tests confirmed their suspicion that the patient, who has been warded at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for the past two weeks, had indeed contracted the disease.

Relatives of the patient told the T&T Guardian yesterday the officer was still not out of danger as he remained hooked up to life support at the ICU. Medical professionals have advised them that the patient’s heart, lungs and kidneys were now severely affected by the virus.

All personnel entering the ICU are being asked to wear protective clothing but the relatives said they were now very concerned about their own safety since they made visits prior to the confirmation without the necessary gowns and masks. “We have been taking our own precautions to prevent the spread of the virus by getting vaccinated,” one relative said.  

On October 16, the virus, also known as swine flu, claimed the life of Siparia resident Cherrie Ryce. Doctors at the SFGH are still awaiting test results to confirm whether the disease also caused the November 2 death of Shannon Nashaud, 16. Autopsy results showed that Nashaud, of Couva, died from pneumonia, one of the symptoms of the H1N1. 

Chatoorgoon also confirmed yesterday the Point Fortin officer was the only H1N1 patient at the hospital at the moment. “We are supporting him maximally. We are doing everything we can possibly do for him but we haven’t changed treatment because we would have been treating him for the swine flu for a while,” he added.

Concerning risks to family members, Chatoorgoon said once they took the necessary precautions by donning masks and gowns on their visits there should be no risk.

On whether other patients in the ICU could be infected, Chatoorgoon explained that while they did not have any isolation units in the department they have tried to screen the H1N1 patient so there would be no obvious risks. He added that the risks were really from nurse to nurse.

“Nurses are the important people but once the nurses take the normal infection prevention control measures it should be okay,” he explained.

Chatoorgoon also responded to reports that some frontline medical staff workers, including those dealing with blood testing, have not been vaccinated against the virus and have been advised to seek the immunization privately. The MD said vaccinations were available for whoever wanted it. 

“Not everybody wants it. I did not take it,” he said. 

A release from CARPHA on October 23 stated that for the year to date it had received 284 samples for influenza-virus testing. Forty-seven  of these tested positive and 14 of them were typed as Influenza A H1N1.

Chaguanas West MP Ganga Singh will assume the position —­ and seat —  of Opposition Chief Whip from tomorrow’s resumption of Parliament and Roodal Moonilal, who previously occupied the position, says he is prepared to sit anywhere  “except the public gallery” after resigning to contest to post of political leader of the United National Congress (UNC).

Also, UNC Senator Vasant Bharath yesterday resigned as an Opposition Senator and will be launching his campaign for the UNC leadership at 10 am Saturday at Rienzi Complex. Incumbent UNC leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who is defending the post in elections scheduled for December 5, confirmed Singh’s position yesterday. 

She also pelted some blows, internally, as the Opposition prepared for tomorrow’s Parliament session. Campaigning for the party’s election is expected to intensify today, now that Divali celebrations have concluded, when Moonilal launches his slate at Rienzi Complex despite his concerns about the organisation of the election. 

Asked if he might drop out, he said: “At this moment, we are campaigning but it depends on the nature of the election systems. I don’t think any candidate would be able to go through the exercise without seeing the voters’ list as my team has been unable to.

“Dr (Tim) Gopeesingh who’s on my slate was told to inspect the list at Rienzi. It’s over 100,000 members. He will have to go through all of that there. This is unparalleled. People don’t enter elections not knowing who the voters are.

“I agree with former leader Basdeo Panday there might be rigging. We are told a team, headed by Dr Rampersad Parasram, is in control of the exercise but we have to be concerned. However, we move into campaign mode from tomorrow (today) and will be having many cottage meetings.”

Moonilal said he would work with whoever won if he lost. “It’s the nature of politics that you work with whoever is across the table. It’s also good our election is way in advance of a general election so we can consolidate,” he added. Moonilal’s slate is tipped to include Gopeesingh (chairman), Devant Maharaj (party organiser), Larry Lalla and others. Endorsements are expected from Gerald Yetming and others.

Moonilal said he was announcing his slate, “so members would know I would be a leader who would name candidates well in advance for people to get to know them,” taking a jab at Persad-Bissessar’s late announcement of candidates before the general election.

Yesterday Persad-Bissessar described Singh as “very experienced regarding duties of an Opposition Chief Whip. He served in this capacity from 2002-2006 and was the Opposition deputy Whip in this term. He also served as Leader of Government Business in the Senate under the People’s Partnership administration.”

“He was very effective and disciplined in managing both the House and Senate caucuses in the past. I anticipate his leadership as Opposition Chief Whip now would be invaluable in holding the People’s National Movement (PNM) Government accountable.” She said she would have talks with Singh on where Moonilal would sit in Parliament tomorrow.

Denying “election rigging” claims, she said she had not been leader in 2010 elections and had won. “In 2010, I was persona non grata at Rienzi Complex. The then hierarchy was in charge nor was I party to the 2012 UNC elections so I cannot understand this big fuss about ‘rigging.’ I wonder if people are crying wolf because they have seen from their campaigning they can lose and are taking ‘in front.’”

Panday not backing Vasant

Former UNC leader and founder Basdeo Panday says there is no truth to claims that he is backing Vasant Bharath “but if the present leader remains in control, the party wouldn’t see power for 15 years and UNC would die.” He added: “I’m only backing free, fair elections. In the absence of that I know the results. The only person who can carry the UNC foward is someone who has the confidence and support of the majority of members.

“That could only be determined through free, fair polls done by an independent body. But I think it will be like the 2010 election, rigged. The person who heads the election team is unsuitable. His brother Jai Parasram is a supporter of the leader.” Panday said if his daughter Mickela asked his advice on joining a slate, he would say if she was convinced it would be free and fair ‘Go ahead, If not, it will be an exercise in futility.’

He said the UNC had gotten a reputation of being the “most wasteful, corrupt government” and had to separate from that and show it had integrity. Panday said it was quite possible a future UNC leader could be non-East Indian “depending on who takes over and rebuilds.”

The 36-year-old bar owner charged with assaulting a woman in a bar in Arima, after a video of the incident went viral on social media last week, remains behind bars in prison because he could not process his bail. Ricardo Jerome, of Oropune Gardens, Piarco, was granted $60,000 bail when he appeared in the Arima Magistrate’s Court on Monday. 

However, he was not able to process the bail that evening as the court’s administrative department was already closed. The T&T Guardian understands that Jerome’s relatives returned to the court yesterday to secure his bail but were told that the Clerk of the Peace, who is required to approve it, did not show up for work. They are expected to make another attempt today.

Meanwhile, Jerome’s lawyer, Fareed Ali, yesterday wrote to Prisons Commissioner Sterling Stewart requesting that his client be separated from the general prison population for his own safety.

“This may be necessary given the nature of the offences. There is a real possibility that the general prison population may be revengeful,” Ali said in his letter to Stewart. Ali did not receive a response up to late yesterday. He was also critical of the absence of the Clerk of the Peace at the Arima Court, which he claimed affected his client’s ability to secure bail, as well as several other prisoners who appeared in court this week. 

“This serves as an unwarranted hiccup frustrating Jerome’s desire to access bail,” Ali said. Jerome, who is also employed as a labourer with the Customs and Excise Division, surrendered to police last Friday after a video clip of the assault, which took place the day before, was posted on social media sites. 

The video, captured by CCTV cameras at Nella’s Sports Bar, Arima Old Road, Arima, forms part of the State’s case against Jerome. The victim, Ornella Ruth Marchan, who shares a relationship with Jerome, has refused to give police investigators a statement. 

Jerome, who is charged with disorderly conduct, assault by beating and possession of a weapon, has pleaded not guilty to the offences. 

As part of the conditions of his bail Jerome has been ordered to refrain from contacting the victim, with whom he has a nine-year-old son. The woman resides at the home of Jerome’s mother in La Horquetta. He is scheduled to reappear in court tomorrow.

The autopsy scheduled to be done on baby Asia Marie, who died in her mother’s womb with faeces in her mouth on Monday, was yesterday halted by her parents after the child’s body was taken to another hospital without their knowledge.

Asia Marie died at the Mt Hope Women’s Hospital after her mother, Chelsea Robinson, spent hours begging medical staff to deliver the baby after experiencing excruciating pain during labour that lasted over 48 hours. The 19-year-old first-time mother has since been discharged from the hospital and is at home recovering from her tragic delivery.

Relatives were told two family members would be allowed to view the autopsy and were advised to be at the hospital early yesterday. At around 6 am, Asia Marie’s father, Brian Small, and another relative arrived at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex’s mortuary to view the post-mortem on his daughter’s body. 

However, hospital staff told him they had no documents or files for the child. After a few queries, Small was told that Asia Marie’s body had been sent to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital. “I got really upset. How can you tell us to come, that we could view her body and then tell us you sent her body to Port-of-Spain, without letting anyone know?” he said.

He said he was shown a document signed by Robinson giving consent for Asia Marie’s autopsy to be done elsewhere but was critical of the medical staff’s process. He said Robinson was given a paper and told to sign ten minutes after delivery although she was still feeling the effects of the anaesthetic and was delirious and crying.

Small said he made his way to the Port-of-Spain general hospital but was told the body had been returned to Mt Hope. On the advice of his lawyer, he prepared a letter stopping the autopsy until the assurance was given that relatives could be present.

Small, who works in a private hospital, said the behaviour of medical staff when it came to answering questions had been a source of concern to the family, raising further distrust.

The young woman continues to cry for her daughter at home and family members are trying to shield her from the public attention, he said. Relatives expect the autopsy to take place within the next three days. During an interview on the CNC3 Morning Brew yesterday, Health Minister Terrance Deyalsingh raised concerns about the health of the mother prior to delivery. 

Deyalsingh, who was faced with a maternal death during his first week in office, boasted that since he assumed office a mere two months ago no maternal deaths could be attributed to negligence.

Children’s Ark (TCA) president Simone de la Bastide is on a mission to raise $600,000 to sensitise the public about human trafficking. So far, De La Bastide has received some funding from the Royal Bank Foundation and bpTT, but she is appealing to other businesses to come on board to help with the initiative.

“We need funds from corporate T&T to make this a successful initiative,” De La Bastide told the T&T Guardian. In August, the TCA joined forces with the Counter Trafficking Unit (CTU) and the head of the Victims and Witness Support Unit of the T&T Police Service, Margaret Sampson-Browne, to start the ball rolling on the project in a bid to reduce human trafficking of children and young girls to our shores.

The TCA is a registered non-profit organisation catering to the needs or marginalised and at-risk children. De La Bastide said there was a need to care for, guide and save the nation’s children, particularly the ones who broke  away from the weave of society. Last Thursday, De La Bastide meet with the CTU deputy director Alana Wheeler and Sampson-Browne to tackle the problem, which has been growing.

De La Bastide described human trafficking as a “clandestine” operation, noting that the way traffickers operated, it was difficult to obtain proper statistics. She said for example, that there was  no data on children who beg on the streets. “This is what makes it extremely difficult. What has happened to all those missing girls from way back...to 2004?” she asked.

She said legislation was also required to clamp down on businesses who advertise jobs in the print media to lure young girls. In the coming weeks, the three organisations will distribute flyers, brochures and advertise on billboards on how to detect human trafficking and when should one raise a red flag about the crime.

De L a Bastide will also bring to Trinidad next May women’s right advocate Anuradha Koirala, who formed a non-profit organisation called Maiti Nepal that rescued thousands of girls and women from human trafficking in impoverished India. The CTU will provide TCA expertise and technical knowledge about trafficking in children.

Traffickers must go to jail
Sampson-Browne praised TCA for teaming up with them. 

“Human trafficking is so deep and wide that we will be grandmothers and grandfathers and we still would not get to the depth of it. We have to understand the role each of us has to play in respect to bringing this social disgrace that is depriving citizens the right to exist in the world. Where there is a beginning we want to bring it to an end,” Sampson-Browne said.

While children are protected under the Sexual Offences Act, Sampson-Browne said trafficking of children was not only of deep concern, but worrying.

“I am gravely and extremely concerned...and that concern must spread throughout the country. It has to be holistic because we are dealing with the most precious commodity, our children, our youth, our young. We need all hands on desk. Of course cases fall through the cracks because of lack of evidence. The evidence is there, we need to find it.” 

She said there needs to be an aggressive approach to bringing human traffickers to justice, especially those who prey on innocent girls for sexual activities. “We have to get someone before the magistrate where they must pay $1 million dollars, their property ceased and they must stop driving their fancy cars. They must be able to go to jail. 

“I don’t hold no brief for that. Hurting people, hurt people. You know how many hurting children are in the country and they can’t reach out? People are dropping children to school in their BMWs and they (children) are being trafficked and they can’t say anything.” She said when officers in her unit interview victims other offences also crop up.

Questioned why several cases of missing girls and women have gone cold, Browne said the police through the television programme Beyond the Tape has been trying to keep these outstanding matters on the front burner. “There is no perfect crime. Somebody see, hear and know and that is what we are attempting as a team... to get information. To open our eyes and ears.”

Sampson-Browne added that she believes one ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. Anyone wishing to make an anonymous report on human trafficking can contact CTU 800-4288

Fines, imprisonment and penalties for human trafficking
•Trafficking adults-$500,000 and 15 years.
•Trafficking children under the age of 18-$1,000,000 and 20 years.
•Penalty for public officers and officials–such as police officer, customs officer, immigration officer, member of the Defence Force and Prison Service 25 years.
•Penalty for withholding travel documents-$350,000 and 12 years.
•Penalty for disclosing identify of victims–$100,000.

More info
Fines, imprisonment and penalties for human trafficking
• Trafficking adults-$500,000 and 15 years.
• Trafficking children under the age of 18-$1,000,000 and 20 years.
• Penalty for public officers and officials–such as police officer, customs officer, immigration officer, member of the Defence Force and Prison Service 25 years.
• Penalty for withholding travel documents-$350,000 and 12 years.
•Penalty for disclosing identify of victims–$100,000.

On November 9 the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) confirmed five cases of Zika virus in a territory of the Caribbean Community.  Earlier this year, suspected cases of the mosquito-borne disease were reported in Brazil and the Dominican Republic.

 
Zika is a viral disease, transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is also the insect vector for Dengue and Chikungunya.  The symptoms are also very similar to these diseases and include fever, muscle and joint pain, headache, nausea, and rash.  There is no vaccine or treatment for Zika and symptoms last approximately four to seven days.  Complications are rare and no deaths due to Zika have ever been recorded. 

 
This is the first time Zika has been detected in a territory of the Caribbean Community (Caricom).  Executive Director, CARPHA, Dr C James Hospedales emphasised that prevention and control are fundamental in order to prevent transmission of the virus.  He said “The best way to protect yourself from this disease is to avoid mosquito bites and to prevent mosquitoes breeding in and around your home environment.”

 
In this regard, CARPHA is urging the public to inspect their homes and yards weekly, and eliminate potential mosquito breeding sites indoors and outdoors by keeping water drums and barrels tightly covered, and throwing out stagnant water from flower vases, old tyres, and other containers that might act as breeding sites.

 
Hospedales revealed that CARPHA will launch a mobile game called Zap-a-‘quito, to assist in educating the public, particularly children, on the Aedes aegypti mosquito and its potential breeding sites, at a vector-borne diseases workshop, which will hosted by CARPHA next month.

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley will attend the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government conference in Malta accompanied by a small delegation including his wife Sharon, Communication Minister Maxie Cuffie said yesterday.

The conference which  takes place from November 27 - 29 in the Mediterranean island state, will be Dr Rowley’s first overseas trip since assuming office on September 9. 

The Government is treating it as a high-level engagement, attended as it will be by Britain’s Queen Elizabeth, the head of the Commonwealth, and heads of the more than 50 other member countries.

At yesterday’s Government press conference, Cuffie said the delegation includes the Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister Dennis Moses, an ambassador, acting High Commissioner to the UK, protocol officer, director of trade, foreign service officer, two security officers, Government Information Service Ltd media and Mrs Rowley. He said GISL was going to record Dr Rowley’s first overseas trip.

Cuffie said the accompanying delegation was small, and quipped that Dr Rowley wasn’t being accompanied by a hairdresser or makeup artist. 

 Cuffie confirmed a list of ministers who have made overseas trips in the short life of the new Government. It includes Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi (France), Tourism Minister Shamfa Cudjoe (Curacao), Labour Minister Jennifer Baptiste-Primus (Guyana) and Energy Minister Nicole Olivierre (Venezuela and Bolivia). 

Cuffie also earlier referred to “high-level consultative talks” on energy, security and trade between the Foreign Affairs Ministers of T&T and Venezuela which occurred last month and which continued yesterday in T&T.

 Sharon Rowley’s presence on the trip opens up the Government to accusations of hypocrisy, as it has consistently accused its predecessors of unnecessary spending. Even so, opposition members were measured in response. 

PAYING HER WAY

Former People’s Partnership foreign affairs minister Suruj Rambachan said there was no rule that forbade Dr Rowley from taking his wife to CHOGM, “once it’s official business, he can carry his wife on the CHOGM trip—that is my understanding of the situation. It’s a choice he has to make, whether he wishes to or not, since he’s said he’s concerned about Government spending, (so) he might want to take that into consideration,” Rambachan added. Vasant Bharath who is contesting the UNC leadership, said there was no protocol barring Dr Rowley’s wife from accompanying him, but it would be unusual for taxpayers’ funds to be used for travel on Government business. 

“One would assume payment for his wife’s trip would come from personal funds,” Bharath added.

Lower spending on travel

Cuffie said he couldn’t say why the PM’s wife had to accompany him or give a cost for the Malta trip. 

He told T&T Guardian that the costs may not have been quantified yet. He said he was in his constituency at the time and couldn’t access such information.

Last month Cuffie had said Cabinet had accepted a recommendation that first-class and business travel would now be restricted to only high-level public officials and the judiciary, in a bid to streamline operations and ensure efficiency. 

Cabinet decided certain officers —the CJ, judges, cabinet members, minister and THA chief secretary—would be entitled to first-class travel and other officers would be asked to use the other classifications of travel available.

Also last month, Dr Rowley had told Parliament that former prime minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, racked up 636 hours of helicopter time, allegedly flying 415 missions at a cost of over $6 million. Cuffie was quoted as saying under the PNM Government, official travel will be undertaken only when necessary and when it can bring benefit to T&T.

Dr Rowley had also told a PNM public meeting last month that the former PP gGvernment “spent” $250 million on travel. Dr Rowley had said it was important for Government members to travel because they had business outside T&T.”

“So ministers will have to travel from time to time but we believe that travel ought not to be a perk and a junket. It ought to be done only when necessary because it is very expensive,” Dr Rowley was quoted as saying then.

He had taken a potshot at Persad-Bissessar, saying he saved the country money on election night when he became prime minister by not having a hairdresser and a powder man in his entourage. 

Dr Rowley had  also said then,  Government would be looking at ways to cut out waste and corruption in the public sector.