– after informer allegedly threatened plotter’s brother

A COMMOTION had ensued at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters on March 29, the same day when Nazim Khan, the man accused of plotting to kill President David Granger was arrested at his Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD) home.
Corporal Jermain Laundry who has been serving at CID and the Major Crime Unit for just over a year, told commissioner of the CoI into the alleged plot to assassinate President David Granger, retired Assistant Commissioner Paul Slowe, that after his job had been completed, he left for home just after 18:00hrs.

He along with Detective Sergeant Komal Petamber and Corporal Deonarine were part of the investigating team which visited Khan’s home and subsequently arrested him.
The policeman said after he had completed his tasks that evening, he left for home but was called to return to CID headquarters.
Laundry said he received a call from Inspector Narine, indicating that there was a situation at the office.
It took him a little over an hour to return to the CID. Upon his return, he saw Nazim Khan and his brother Imran Khan at the station.

The police corporal said he did not observe “a situation” upon his arrival.
“When I reach, I didn’t see no situation, but I heard Imran wanted to make a report, saying Andrif Gillard threatened him,” said Laundry.
Earlier this year, Andrif Gillard had alleged that Nizam Khan asked him to kill President Granger sometime in 2015, an allegation Khan has denied. According to Giffard, who testified on Thursday before the commission, he had approached Khan to loan him $6M, but Khan instead offered him $7M, noting that he would not have to repay the money if he killed the President.

The corporal said that he was informed by his colleagues that the threat occurred on the stairway of CID headquarters. The policeman noted that he was instructed to “pass through” Imran Khan’s firearm and he did same without questions.
The man’s firearm was reportedly seized by Constable Benjamin, Laundry recounted. He said he was unclear why he was recalled to the office.

GUN RELEASED
However, some 10 minutes after the firearm was “passed through,” it was released to the owner.
“I don’t know which inspector signed… but Inspector Narine told me to give back the gun,” the constable added.
The corporal, who served in Berbice among other locations before being transferred to CID Headquarters, told the commission that the firearm was lodged for “safe-keeping,” but Slowe quickly disputed his statement.

“It cannot be for safe-keeping… some explanation must have been given as to why the firearm was being lodged… it was not really lodged… it was passed through,” said Slowe.
Meanwhile, Corporal Laundry said he was familiar with the Khan brothers because earlier in his career, he was stationed at the Grove Police Station.
“Do you know of any close relationship of either one or both with anyone in the force? You have not seen them anywhere together?” Slowe asked to which Laundry replied in the negative. But interestingly, Laundry could not tell the commission if Nazim Khan was detained (locked up) after his arrest.

The policeman recounted a confrontation with one Leon Baldeo and Gillard.
Baldeo contended that Giffard offered him $50,000 to say he was present when Khan told him of the assassination plot.
However, the process was not an easy one as Laundry explained Giffard was contacted on April 7 in relation to an allegation made against him by Baldeo.
Gillard promised to report to CID on April 12 at 09:00 hrs but did not.

“I made subsequent contact with him …I called him after 9am passed and he told me he was heading to the interior. I called again and checked at his home… but I got on to him on April 19 but he didn’t go to CID. I tried calling again and he told me he was not coming anywhere,” Laundry recounted.
He added: “As such he [laundry] involved Inspector Narine who called Gillard and tried to reason with him, but Gillard was not interested.”
He said he did not care who Narine was; he was not going, said the corporal, who noted that confrontation eventually occurred on April 25.

Retired Justice Chang, who is representing the interest of the police, questioned whether the statement by Baldeo was communicated to Gillard before the confrontation between the duo.
Laundry denied telling Gillard the details of Baldeo’s statement.
Attorney Christopher Ram followed suit and questioned Corporal Laundry about the police system for the seizure of firearms from licensed holders.

Hearings will continue on Monday at 09:00 hrs, and will see Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum, Commander Clifton Hickens and Leon Baldeo, among others testifying before the commission.
Commissioner Slowe has up to August 18 to submit his report to President David Granger.