The Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) today announced that dozens of charges have been recommended in an expanded probe of Assistant Commissioner of Police Calvin Brutus and the matter is now with the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
SOCU’s statement came following a report in today’s Stabroek News that no charges had been recommended in its probe based on correspondence seen by this newspaper dated June 12 between SOCU and the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). SOCU was given an opportunity yesterday to comment on the report but no one was available to do so. On the appearance of the news item in today’s edition it responded with the announcement of an expanded probe.
SOCU’s statement today said that: “Earlier this year, SOCU launched an investigation into certain activities of Assistant Commissioner Brutus and at the end of that investigation, based on the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions, no criminal charges were recommended.
“Subsequently, based on critical information received by SOCU from the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), a new and more expansive investigation was conducted by SOCU.
“That investigation was concluded on 2024-10-01, and all the relevant files were sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions for review, advice and further action.
“In respect of this latter expansive investigation, SOCU recommended dozens of charges. SOCU now awaits the legal advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions”.
SOCU made no public announcement about its June finding despite the importance of its probe. It also did not announce an expanded probe. Only a series of stories by Stabroek News in recent weeks has prompted responses from SOCU.