(Trinidad Guardian) Heavily armed masked police officers from an elite unit blocked all vehicular traffic along Railway Road in Chaguanas yesterday, as they escorted Barataria businessman Jerome Ollivierre, 28, to the Chaguanas Magistrates’ Court.
Olivierre, a father of three, was charged with possession of arms, ammunition and possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking. He was arrested on Thursday night at Sixth Avenue, Malick, in his vehicle for possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking. He was also charged in connection with the major drug, guns and ammunition haul that same night at Macaya Trace, off Munroe Road, Cunupia.
Ollivierre was denied bail when he appeared before Chaguanas Magistrate Adrian Dharmanie in the First Court.
In Barataria, Olliviere was allegedly found with 20 packets of marijuana in his possession and in Cunupia with an additional 134 packages of marijuana, nine high-powered automatic-assault rifles and 16 magazines. The marijuana was estimated to have weighed 80 kilogrammes and had a street value of just over $2 million.
It took the police just over 40 minutes alone to present the pieces of evidence taken into the courtroom at 10.20 am.
Ollivierre’s attorney, John Heath, in his bail application, Dharmanie his client had no previous convictions, no matters pending and was a “man of good character.” Heath said Olliviere was also willing to give up his passport and to report to the Barataria Police Station.
Court prosecutor Sgt Wayne Waithe objected to the bail on the grounds that Olliviere was charged with serious offences.
However, Magistrate Dharmanie denied bail on three other grounds, including that he was charged with serious offences, the strength of the prosecution in the case and the quantity and weight of the drugs.
Ollivierre was remanded in custody. His Barataria charge was transferred to the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ Court for November 19 while his Chaguanas matter was adjourned to December 11.