5 cops freed of extortion and Case against 2 others still pending
Senior Reporter
rhondor.dowlat@guardian.co.tt
Five police officers from the Northern Division Task Force were acquitted of charges related to extortion and misbehaviour in public office at the Port-of-Spain High Court yesterday. The court discharged the officers after the prosecution repeatedly failed to present sufficient evidence to support the allegations.
The five officers—PC Jabari Mc Intyre, PC Kevin Gomez, WPC Latifah Lezama, PC Keenen Williams, and PC Evans Mitchell—were accused of soliciting $30,000 and five pounds of marijuana from a couple during a search at their home in Five Rivers, Arouca, on November 2, 2022.
They were jointly charged along with two other officers—PC Kiran Morang and PC Nicholas Raghoobar. While the five officers were freed, the cases against Morang and Raghoobar remain active, with a ruling expected on November 25.
Attorney Renuka Rambhajan, representing the officers, successfully argued that the State had not met the evidentiary threshold, despite being given three opportunities to do so.
The freeing of these officers comes on the heels of the collapse of a high-profile case on Monday involving seven police officers accused of corruption in Sangre Grande.
All charges against them were dismissed in the Port-of-Spain North A Court. The decision came after the prosecution failed to meet court orders, present crucial evidence, and ensure the attendance of key witnesses.
The seven officers—Inspector Deyal Ramlakhan, acting Corporal Saheed Khan, Constables Cleon Smith, Davanan Ragbir, Macai Joseph, Jason O’Souna, and Special Reserve Police Rayon Charles—were charged in April 2023 with misbehaviour in public office and perverting the course of justice. The charges came after a viral video surfaced showing police officers allegedly seizing cash at a business in Sangre Grande in March 2023. The recording ignited widespread claims of police corruption targeting businessmen in the area.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Suzette Martin and the Professional Standards Bureau (PSB), which she led at the time, arrested the officers on April 24 after consulting with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The allegations against the five Northern Division officers arose during a search conducted under a warrant at the couple’s residence. According to reports, camouflage clothing, marijuana, and ammunition were allegedly discovered on the premises.
The homeowners, Rishi and Sarita Mungu, were taken to the Arouca Police Station. It was there that Rishi claimed he was approached by one of the officers and told to provide $30,000 and marijuana in exchange for avoiding prosecution.
Rishi reportedly complied, delivering the requested cash and drugs to the station before he and his wife were released without charges. The matter was later reported to the PSB, prompting an investigation led by then-Senior Superintendent Suzette Martin (now DCP)) and a team of investigators.
The case led to charges being filed on November 14, 2023, against the seven officers.
The accused officers were initially granted bail of $150,000 each and appeared before a Justice of the Peace before their case moved to the High Court.
Scotland: Training programme to target police complainants and prosecutors coming
When contacted for comment yesterday, Minister in the Ministry of National Security Keith Scotland emphasised that the ministry is not responsible for the day-to-day prosecution of matters, as this falls under the exclusive preview of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Scotland said the ministry was currently collaborating with National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds to develop a comprehensive training programme for police officers. The programme will focus on enhancing the efficiency of officers who act as complainants and prosecutors in legal matters.
“We are in the process of working out a training programme for police officers who are complainants and prosecutors,” Scotland stated. “We are hoping that this will lead to a more efficient input on the part of the police officers before the Masters.”
However, when asked about the specific circumstances surrounding the dismissals of the cases, Scotland declined to comment, stating that he was not fully apprised of the details.
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