The doctor of the popular weight-loss clinic has been released without any charges being laid. The doctor is claiming that, while in custody, she never had the privilege of meeting with her lawyer.
Speaking with the T&T Guardian yesterday, Dr Surelia Reid of SureWay Weight Loss Clinic, said that last Monday she was approached by four male officers and a female officer from Fraud Squad while outside her St James Clinic.
Reid said she was forced to go with them without an arrest warrant shown to her.
“I turned off my vehicle and was forced to enter into an unmarked vehicle. My many attempts to find out what it was about was met with hostility,” she said. Upon arriving at the Fraud Squad Unit, Reid said that her cellphone was confiscated and she was not allowed to retrieve her attorney’s number.
“I managed to call a friend and ask him to send my attorney for me,” Reid said. Four hours after, Reid was able to start her interview in the presence of her lawyer. “However, after that, were not allowed to meet again,” she added.
Asked if she was questioned in connection with any fraud cases, Reid said, “Yes, two cases.” Reid said she was also shown related documents, including cheques.
“I told them I have never met the individuals nor contracted them to do any work for SureWay Weight Loss Clinic. Nor was the handwriting on the cheques mine,” she said.
Reid said after the interview she was put in a cell and told she would be there until the officers completed their enquiries.
“I was not fed nor given anything to drink during my five days of custody nor was I allowed to bathe or communicate with anyone from outside. I was kept on the floor of a cell filled with faeces and urine,” Reid alleges.
On the fifth day, Reid said she was approached by an inspector who told her she had to be placed on an identification parade. Reid refused saying that she will do nothing until her attorney was present.
“That was when I took in sick and had to be hospitalised at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital. I was released after a submission was filed, without charge,” Reid said.