Hours before he was to be produced in the High Court following the filing of habeas corpus proceedings, police yesterday released businessman Clayton Hutson on $30,000 bail and told him to return to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) tomorrow.
Hutson’s lawyer Joseph Harmon, during the hearing yesterday, informed Justice Roxanne George of the developments and withdrew his application, which was made in an attempt to secure bail.
Two Fridays ago, police had issued wanted bulletins for the businessman, Trinidadian Joseph Aboud and Frankie Ross for questioning into allegations of illegal importation of firearms and ammunition. The bulletins were prompted by the discovery of three high-powered guns, hundreds of rounds of ammunition and other illegal items in a barrel at a Regent Street, Bourda house. Aboud, followed by Hutson, turned themselves over to the police in the presence of their lawyers last week. Aboud was released on Thursday without bail, charges or any request to report to the police.
Harmon told Stabroek News that his client was released from police custody shortly before 8 yesterday morning and told to report at CID Headquarters at 9 am tomorrow.
He said that around 9.30 am Superintendent Husbands from CID called and informed him that the subject of the High Court proceedings – Hutson – was released.
The attorney said that his client subsequently telephoned him and confirmed his release.
On Friday, Harmon filed a Habeas Corpus writ in the High Court and after being heard by Justice George, an Order Nisi was granted for the Commissioner of Police and the Attorney General to produce the body of Hutson at 11:30 am the following day (yesterday). This was part of the lawyer’s attempt to secure bail for Hutson, whose 72 hours in custody would have been up at 10 am yesterday.
When this newspaper spoke to the lawyer he said that despite the fact that his client was released a date and time had been set for the hearing of the matter and as such he still had to attend court.
Shortly after meeting with the judge, Harmon told the media that he informed her of the development and asked that his application be withdrawn.
The attorney again stated that he knew nothing about an Interpol Red Notice for his client and neither does his client. He stressed that even if that was so, it should not have a bearing on this present situation since Interpol, which is an international organisation, has no local jurisdiction.
Meanwhile Ross who is said to be the owner of the barrel the items were allegedly in, remained at large up to press time and several police sources say that they have no clue as to where the man might be.
Police had said in a release that members of the joint services searched the Lot 120 Regent Street house and discovered an AK-47 rifle with the number filed off; a pistol with a silencer; a Mossberg shotgun; 713 rounds of ammunition of various calibre; 7 magazines for different firearms; a green camouflage water bottle and a green canvas pouch. The police had said that the items were in a barrel.
Three women who are employed at well known business establishments in the city and are occupants of the house were arrested more than 24 hours after the discovery.
They were however released on station bail three days later.
