THREE cops who allegedly made a transaction with a prisoner in his request for his release, were, on Thursday, granted $50,000 bail each by Magistrate Rondel Weever, when they made an appearance, in relation to the charge, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

Brian Tappin, Shemroy Meredith and Daniel Lindie, all pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to them.

The charge alleged that between Thursday, October 29, 2020, and Friday, October 30, 2020, at the North Ruimveldt Police Outpost, Georgetown, they, being agents of the Government of Guyana, particularly, police officers of the Guyana Police Force, corruptly obtained from Lawrence Moore, for themselves, $120,000 as an inducement for releasing him on bail, an act in relation to their principal’s affairs.

According to information provided, on Thursday, October 29, 2020, Lawrence Moore was arrested and placed in custody at the North Ruimveldt Police Outpost. While in custody, Moore and the three policemen negotiated for his release. The three policemen proposed that Moore pay them each, the sum of $120,000, which Moore had agreed to and eventually did. However, upon his release, Moore was asked to provide more money to pay off his remaining debts which referred to him allegedly having other matters reported at the station against him. Moore was reluctant to honour their request but still gave them hope, stating that he will try to get more money. Moore reported the matter to the police.

On Friday, October 30, 2020, one of the defendants contacted Moore to make arrangements to meet with him at the Kingston Seawall. Unknowing to the defendant, Moore engaged in an organised sting operation with the Criminal Investigation Department at Eve Leary for the purpose of catching the defendant and his accomplices in action. The defendant was caught retrieving money from Moore and the money was found when a search was conducted on his person. Further investigations were executed and the defendant admitted, via video and audio, taking money from Moore and had identified the other defendants to be his accomplices. As a result, they were all charged for the offence.

The matter was adjourned until Monday, December 28, 2020.