POLICE Complaints Authority (PCA) director David West is not worried that comments by politicians might affect the PCA's investigation into startling findings by a High Court judge about police "abducting" a TT citizen from Barbados to face criminal charges.

On April 25, Justice Devindra Rampersad made scathing findings against police officers in his judgment, in which he stayed criminal charges against firearms dealer Brent Thomas.

Thomas was first arrested on September 29, 2022, and later released. He was re-arrested in Barbados, from where he intended to travel to Miami to meet his cardiologist, and said he was forcibly returned to Trinidad on a TT Defence Force (TTDF) plane. He was later charged with possession of a series of weapons, including grenades and rifles.

In his judgement, Rampersad criticised the police for what he described as Thomas's "abduction in Barbados."

He said this involved what Thomas described as the use of a non-commercial aeroplane owned by the TTDF.

“Words cannot express the abhorrence that the court feels towards this unlawful act in a supposedly civilised society governed by a Constitution in which the freedoms of the citizens are supposed to be protected.”

In a statement on April 29, West said, "Upon receipt and perusal of the judgment, the PCA initiated an immediate investigation.

"This complaint increases the number of enquiries into similar conduct by the TTPS (TT Police Service).

"The PCA’s other FUL (firearms user licence) investigations and complaints by firearm dealers are close to completion."

Before and after West announced the PCA investigation, various politicians commented on Rampersad's statements inside and outside Parliament.

West was asked on Monday whether he was concerned that these comments and any others made in the coming days might affect the PCA's investigation.

He said, "No. The PCA operates independently of any commentary in the public domain."

Asked for an update on the probe, West said, "The PCA is progressing with the investigation concerning the conduct of TTPS officers in the Brent Thomas matter."

Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal raised the incident on Friday during debate on an opposition motion of no confidence against National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds in the House of Representatives on April 28.

"From the judgment, it is said that the Defence Force assisted the TTPS to fly to Barbados and to illegally abduct a citizen of TT and bring him back to TT, to face charges and so forth."

Moonilal called on Hinds to indicate whether he had approved the TTDF's participation in this event.

In response, Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Stuart Young disclosed new information about the plane which brought Thomas back to Piarco.

Young said, "The fact is, that did not happen, and it was an RSS plane – the Regional Security Services (RSS) out of Barbados."

He added, "I say no more, because the court will deal with that at the appropriate level."

At the opening of the UNC's new headquarters in Chaguanas