AND JADA LOUTOO
The two remaining police officers accused of accepting a $30,000 bribe to halt the prosecution of a businessman have been cleared of the charges against them.
On November 25, High Court Master Sarah de Silva dismissed the misbehaviour charges against Keiran Morang and Nicholas Raghoobar, citing insufficient evidence.
Attorney Darren Mitchell represented the officers. Prosecutors Shervon Noreiga and Kern Young advocated for the State.
The ruling concludes legal proceedings against all officers implicated in the case.
The two were part of a larger group of seven before the court. On November 20, during a sufficiency hearing, de Silva discharged their colleagues Keenen Williams, Evans Mitchell, Latifah Lezama, Kevin Gomez, and Jabari McIntyre. She also ruled there was insufficient evidence against them.
Head of the Police Social Welfare Association (TTPSSWA) Gideon Dickson told Newsday, though, the matter is still under a microscope.
Describing the case against the officers as “fluid” and “sensitive,” Dickson said it is being looked at by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).
“The DPP is looking at that matter in its entirety because it appears the wrong charges were laid against them.”
A statement from the police said seven officers went to the home of the couple at Five Rivers, Arouca, and executed a search warrant for firearms, ammunition and narcotics.
The officers allegedly found a quantity of marijuana, camouflage clothing, and a quantity of ammunition, leading to the homeowners being arrested and taken to the Arouca Police Station.
It is alleged that one of the officers approached the male occupant of the home and asked for $30,000 and five pounds of marijuana to forego charges against him and his wife.
The man was allowed to leave the station and instructions were allegedly given as to where the marijuana should be taken.
He was also told to return to the station with the cash.
When the Five Rivers man returned to the station, he handed over the cash and he and his wife were allowed to leave the station without being charged.
Immediately after the report was made to the PSB, a probe was launched by a team of investigators under the supervision of then-PSB head, now Deputy Commissioner Suzette Martin, and Supt Montrichard, Insp Narine,W/Insp Guy, Sgt. Pierre, Sgt Hosein and Cpl Joefield.
On November 7, 2023, the officers were arrested and later charged by Joefield of the PSB.
The seven appeared before a justice of the peace a week later and were granted $150,000 bail.
Officers seeking legal advice over extortion claims
On November 18, de Silva discharged seven other officers accused of extorting a group of Sangre Grande businessmen because the police failed to comply with court directives, including the timely preparation and prosecution of the case.
The PSB had also charged the seven officers in April 2023 with misbehaviour in public office by corruptly appropriating money – over $100,000 – seized as an exhibit during a police exercise.
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