(Trinidad Guardian) Former minister in the Ministry of National Security Subhas Panday says police officers must make full use of the Human Trafficking Bill to catch “the big fish” in the sex trade. He said he intended to write his former boss National Security Minister John Sandy to have him look into the matter. Panday made the comment in the San Fernando Second Magistrate’s Court where he represented four foreign female nationals charged with prostitution. The women, Susena Mendez Hebron, Vuana Mercedes Ramirez-Evans, Rofely Maria de Pena Rodriguez and Patricia Sandoval Orejuela, have been charged with soliciting passers-by at Tokyo Hotel Restaurant and Bar, San Fernando, for the purpose of prostitution on August 30.
The attorney told San Fernando Magistrate Lisa Ramsumair-Hinds he was concerned that only his clients were before the court and not the owner of the establishment where they were held. “My interest in this matter is, I was instrumental in the passing of the Human Trafficking Bill, especially in women and children,” Panday said. “I will contact Minister Sandy in the hope that it (the bill) will be used to catch the big fish in these matters. “I am not surprised that the owner is not here.” The magistrate agreed: “Something is missing to my mind, curiously that is to my mind.” Prosecutor Ramdath Phillip said investigations were continuing in the matter.
The women, from Colombia, Dominican Republic and Venezuela, will return to court today where they will be allowed to enter pleas. When they first appeared in court on Friday, they were unable to answer the charges since there was no Spanish interpreter in court.
