Two more cops freed of extortion charges

Derek Achong and Rhondor Dowlat

Less than a week after five police officers were freed of extortion charges due to insufficient evidence, two of their colleagues involved in the same matter have met the same fate.

This follows the release of seven Eastern Division officers on corruption charges on November 18. With yesterday’s case, the total number of officers freed on criminal charges in the past week has risen to 14.

PCs Keiran Morang and Nicholas Raghoobar were discharged by High Court Master Sarah De Silva yesterday as she made a similar ruling to the one in relation to their colleagues during a hearing yesterday.

The duo and their colleagues Keenan Williams, Evans Mitchell, Kevin Gomez, Latifa Lezama, and Jabari Mc Intyre were charged with extortion and misbehaviour in public office in relation to an alleged incident with an Arouca couple last year.

The officers reportedly found camouflage clothing, marijuana, and ammunition during a search of the couple’s home at Five Rivers, Arouca, and allegedly solicited a $30,000 bribe and a quantity of marijuana to not prosecute them. Prosecutor Shervon Noriega represented the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) at the hearing.

Last Wednesday, Master De Silva freed all except Morang and Raghoobar based on an application from their lawyer Renuka Rambhajan over the insufficiency of the evidence against them.

In her decision, Master De Silva also cited prosecutorial missteps and repeated non-compliance with her previous court orders. She reserved her decision in relation to Morang and Raghoobar, who were represented by Darren Mitchell, before making a similar ruling yesterday.

Master De Silva’s initial ruling in the Arouca case came two days after she freed seven police officers facing a separate extortion case. In April of last year, Insp Deyal Ramlakhan, acting Cpl Saheed Khan, PCs Cleon Smith, Davanan Ragbir, Macai Joseph, Jason O’Souna, and Special Reserve Police (SRP) Rayon Charles were charged with misbehaviour in public office and perverting the course of justice.

The charges came after a video, allegedly depicting the officers removing a large quantity of cash from a Sangre Grande business during a raid, went viral. The seven officers in the Sangre Grande case were discharged based on the failure of the police to comply with court directives for the prosecution of the case.

Late last week, Police Commissioner Erla Harewood-Christopher announced that she had initiated disciplinary proceedings against three officers who were involved in the probe of the Sangre Grande case and laid the charges.

She also said the Director of Prosecutions office has also been “engaged with respect to determining the way forward” in relation to both cases.

The Police Complaints Authority (PCA) has launched a probe into what transpired in the Sangre Grande case.

Contacted yesterday, T&T Police Service (TTPS) corporate communications manager Joanne Archie stated that the development in the Arouca case would not affect the steps already being taken by the TTPS that were previously announced by Harewood-Christopher. “Nothing has really changed. There must still be further discussions with the DPP’s Office,” Archie said.

Police Association: Police can’t be blamed; that resides in the domain of the DPP

In a brief telephone interview, PCA Director David West declined to comment extensively on the development in the Arouca case until having sight of official reports.

However, he said that based on the synopsis provided by this newspaper, it appeared that a PCA probe may not be required, as insufficient evidence cannot automatically equate to police misconduct.

Speaking with Guardian Media, Police Social and Welfare Association president acting ASP Gideon Dickson noted that based on initial reports, the police could not be blamed for what transpired in the Arouca case.

“That resides in the domain of the DPP, so I think some inquiry has to be had there,” Dickson said.

In a statement last week, Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal called for the disciplinary proceedings to be held in public to improve trust and confidence in the TTPS following the outcomes of both cases.

“The authorities have a critical responsibility to ensure accountability and justice in this matter. There should also be similar inquiries into other cases that collapsed due to the failure of prosecutors to appear,” he said.

Moonilal also called for the Joint Select Committee (JSC) of Parliament on National Security to convene an emergency session to question Harewood-Christopher and senior police officers on what transpired. He said the JSC, of which he is a member, could offer police change recommendations to prevent a recurrence.

PCA probes case involving 2 officers held in sting operation

Meanwhile, the PCA is investigating a case involving two officers from the Santa Cruz Police Station who were arrested in an extortion sting.

The two constables were arrested on Saturday during an operation led by Inspector Daniel of the North Eastern Division.

They allegedly demanded $1,000 each from a Spanish-speaking individual. Marked bills given to the victim were recovered during a search, leading to their arrest. One officer is a former acting corporal in community policing.

PCA head David West confirmed the probe and noted that similar cases involving officers and migrants remain unresolved.

The Professional Standards Bureau is conducting its own investigation, with charges expected soon.

The incident has sparked anger among activists, who highlighted the exploitation of migrants, particularly Venezuelans. Activist Sofia Figueroa-Leon condemned the extortion and its broader implications.

“Women are told, ‘If you don’t do as I say, I will send you back on a boat or lock you up.’ It’s not just extortion; it’s also rape,” she said.

Figueroa-Leon criticised the lack of accountability, adding, “Who are you going to report the police to? The police?” Figueroa-Leon called for decisive leadership, urging Commissioner Harewood-Christopher to fire corrupt officers.

“The CoP looks incompetent when these things occur under her watch. She must lead her team or replace those who are corrupt,” she said.

Social activist Angie Ramnarine echoed these concerns, noting systemic issues in law enforcement.

“This has been going on a long time, but fear of victimisation keeps it under the radar,” she said, emphasising the need for institutional reform. The Santa Cruz case adds to a growing list of police corruption incidents.

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