(Trinidad Express) An investigation has been launched into the conduct of five police officers held by Coast Guard officers yesterday morning.
The officers, all of whom are attached to the North-Eastern Division Task Force (NEDTF), were detained by the Coast Guard’s Special Naval Unit (SNU) after being spotted on board a yacht with a well-known El Socorro drug lord.
According to Coast Guard reports, at around 11.36 a.m., the officers—an acting sergeant, an acting corporal and three constables—were aboard the yacht Cross 1 when they were intercepted by SNU.
Sources say the yacht was stopped in the vicinity of Carrera Island and the officers were among 26 individuals on board. Sources further added that SNU officers recognised the drug lord and upon ordering the yacht to be stopped, a search was conducted.
Four firearms were found, three of which, sources say, were claimed by the officers while the fourth belonged to an ex-police officer. The ex-officer, sources say, told SNU officers his firearm user’s licence was lodged at a police station.
All occupants of the yacht were taken to Staubles Bay in Chaguaramas, and only the individuals with firearms were detained.
Senior police officers were notified and the officers were subsequently taken to the Port of Spain Criminal Investigation Department (CID) where they were questioned by detectives of the Professional Standards Bureau.
