…defence counsel said he was in custody for more than 72 hours before appearing in court
TREVOR King, of 23 Hill Street, Albouystown, was yesterday remanded to prison by Acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on several charges of possession of firearm, ammunition, trafficking in narcotics and unlawful possession of a quantity of items suspected to be stolen.
Defence Counsel Mr. Vic Puran represented the defendant, and informed the court that his client was in unlawful custody since the 72 hours had expired since his arrest.
He said his client was in custody since last Tuesday and only yesterday the police brought him to court.
Puran told the court that his client will not plead to the charges since he was in unlawful custody. He requested that the magistrate release his client and if the police wish they can recharge him at any time.
However, the magistrate decided to proceed with reading the charges, and stated that the lawyer had enough time to file for Habeas Corpus in the High Court.
It is alleged that on May 7, the defendant had six grammes of cocaine and 768 grammes of cannabis, for the purpose of trafficking.
Also on that day, he had a .357 revolver and five rounds of .357 ammunition, without being the holder of a firearm licence. And he also had a quantity of items reasonably suspected to be stolen or unlawfully obtained.
It is also alleged that on May 9, he had 365 grammes of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.
When the charges were read to the defendant he declined to plead, but declared that he is unlawfully before the court.
Police Inspector Stephen Telford, prosecuting, said the defendant was indeed in police custody since last Tuesday. He said he will have to make enquires as to why the defendant was not brought to the court earlier.
Telford said on the days in question, police, acting on information, went to the home of the defendant and conducted a search. He said the items were recovered in the defendant’s home.
The prosecutor objected to bail on the grounds of the prevalence of the offence, and that legislation does not provide bail for offences such as trafficking and possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
He requested that the defendant be remanded to prison and a date set for legal advice on the way forward.
Puran said the case is an alarming one since the police brought his client to court without seeking legal advice.
“The only thing that commits my client to this offence is because he owns the house. There is no evidence against my client. The police stole $1.3M and $400,000 in jewellery from the house of my client’s brother. The police were searching my client’s house, which is at the back and they saw the money in the front house on a chair and got excited and took the money” said Puran.
The lawyer is alleging that maximum pressure is being put on his client because of theft committed by the police.
In response, Telford said indeed money was found and it is lodged at the station, but he is not sure of the amount and the jewellery.
After prolonged arguments between the prosecutor and the lawyer, the defendant was remanded to prison and will appear in another court today.