– pending completion of investigation into ‘Middle Road’ murder

THE High Court on Monday granted the police clearance to further detain the prime suspect in the murder of Navindra Samaroo, who was gunned down on Middle Road, La Penitence last month.

Dwayne Castello, 27, called “Top Cat”, of East Ruimveldt, was on August 27, 2020, shot and arrested by policemen on patrol duty on Genip Lane in the same East Ruimveldt neighbourhood in which he resides.

Since his incapacitation and arrest, the police have successfully approached the High Court for an extension to keep Castello in custody, as their investigation into Samaroo’s murder is still ongoing.

The 23-year-old employee of G&J Phone Cards Investment on Mandela Avenue, was gunned down while sitting in his motorcar, PPP1645, on July 23, 2020 at Middle Road, La Penitence.

Police have confirmed that Castello is also wanted in connection with a series of robberies.
Reports are that patrol ranks, acting on information they’d received on the day in question, proceeded to Genip Lane, East Ruimveldt where they saw the suspect, who, upon seeing them, attempted to flee on a black motorcycle.

By this time, the police had already stopped and disembarked the vehicle, and Castello, realising he’d been cornered, pulled out a firearm from his pants crotch and discharged several rounds in the lawmen’s direction.

One rank, who was quicker on the draw than his colleagues, returned fire, hitting the career criminal in his left foot below the knee.
Thus incapacitated, Castello fell to the ground and was arrested. When searched by the police, it was discovered that he had in his possession a 9mm pistol with six live matching rounds in the magazine.

He was escorted to Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where he was treated and has since been in police custody.