PCA investigates lacking ammunition seized by Trinidad police

The Police Complaints Authority (PCA) Monday stated it has “independently initiated an investigation” into the alleged disappearance of seized ammunition from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS).

“A number of comparable stories of lacking displays and seized objects within the custody of the TTPS have been investigated by the TTPS which has the only remit underneath Part 48 (2) (of the PCA Act) to analyze legal offences involving law enforcement officials, police corruption and severe police misconduct,” the PCA stated in a press release.

“The allegation of lacking ammunition from the TTPS is a matter of nice concern and the PCA will undertake a complete investigation into this matter” it added.

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The PCA stated it had additionally taken word of a newspaper article on Monday, during which Police Commissioner Erla Harewood-Christopher has ordered a direct investigation into the disappearance of an estimated 500 rounds of ammunition the police had seized from a licensed gun seller in October final yr.

Harewood-Christopher, who earlier this month obtained the nod from the Parliament for the highest publish, advised a tv station on Sunday night time the matter is now partaking the eye of the Skilled Requirements Bureau (PSB).

The ammunition had been seized from the Firearms Coaching Institute Ltd, with the proprietor, Towfeek Ali, additionally reporting that the police had seized his private firearms and ammunition in addition to the corporate’s computer systems and registers.

By letter dated January 24, 2023, the corporate’s lawyer Anand Rampersad wrote to TTPS Authorized officer Adita Ramdular indicating that 500 rounds of ammunition had been lacking and requested that they be returned instantly.

On Sunday, Opposition legislator, Dr Roodal Moonilal advised a information convention the police had seized the ammunition final yr from an organization in Central Trinidad and authorized motion had been taken in opposition to the police.

He stated a decide ordered the ammunition be returned and when that was finished, 500 rounds had been lacking.

Moonilal stated the police had descended on the corporate’s premises underneath the “guise” of conducting a daily inspection of their books and an estimated 1,130 rounds of nine-millimeter ammunition in addition to weapons had been seized for safekeeping.

He stated in November 2022, attorneys representing the corporate wrote the police and enquired in regards to the seized ammunition and weapons, however there was no response and the corporate then filed for judicial evaluate in December.

The Opposition legislator stated an injunction was heard on January 23, and Justice Devendra Rampersad ordered the police to return the ammunition and weapons to the corporate.

Moonilal stated solely 630 rounds of nine-millimeter ammunition had been returned  and the TTPS is now in contempt of a courtroom order and authorized motion can be being taken on this.

Moonilal stated the police are saying in a subsequent communication to the corporate they assume they “miscalculated” by 500.

CMC/