(Trinidad Guardian) A Valsayn businessman and his son who were both detained in a raid by police officers from the Special Operations Response Team(SORT) at Lady Chancellor Heights, Port-of-Spain early this morning are expected to be charged for the possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Senior investigators told Guardian Media that the businessman and his son had been formally charged in 2016 with similar offences which are still before the courts.
The men were held with 18 other males and 22 women at a party termed Secret Sunday.
The other males held during the raid investigators say will be held relevant to other inquiries and may likely be released later on.
Investigators say contrary to reports the house was not a guest house, but rather a four-storey dwelling house.
“They had no liquor license but they were selling alcohol on the premises and charging people to come into the house $60. They also did not have any fire clearance. We have nothing official to say its a guest house either,” a senior investigator revealed.
Investigators told Guardian Media that most of the women are non-nationals with no identification in their possession.
They were allegedly engaged in lewd dancing, possible prostitution and child endangerment as several of them are believed to be minors.
Several other law enforcement agencies were also called in to assist in the investigation.
The Child Protection Unit, Counter-Trafficking Unit(CTU) and Immigration officials were also interviewing the foreign nationals.
Just after midnight on Monday, acting on intelligence, SORT officers headed by Sgt Mark Hernandez conducted a sting operation at the house where the women, along with 20 men, were arrested.
Police also found and seized a firearm and ammunition, narcotics and a large amount of cash.
Guardian Media understands that an advertisement was issued to highlight the event.
It was titled “Can you keep a secret?” and gave details for a “Secret Sundays Latin EDM Private Pool Party.”
It also advertised that the event would be at a secret location where “Secret Pleasures Await” along with a WhatsApp number for interested persons to message for further information and the location.
It ended by stating: “Make Sundays your Secret.”
Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith led the operations with officers of SORT, the Port-of-Spain Task Force, Canine and Municipal Police.