Prison officers, PDO detainees charged after prisoner processing exercise

Two prison officers and nine people detained under Preventive Detention Orders (PDOs) have been charged with multiple offences following a prisoner processing exercise at two correctional facilities. 

The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) said the exercise was conducted on Friday, July 24, 2026, at the Eastern Correctional Rehabilitation Centre and the Extended Remand Facility. 

Prison officers Gary Gour and Damien Johnson were each charged with possession of prohibited articles following advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). 

The charges were laid by Cpl Williams and WPC Joseph of the DCP Operations Team. 

Esau Nicholas Mohammed was charged by PC Perkins of the Inter-Agency Task Force with possession of firearms for the purpose of trafficking, possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of cannabis and possession of ammunition. 

Vernelle Johnson and Johnathon Albert were jointly charged with causing prohibited articles to be introduced into the Maximum Security Prison and possession of prohibited articles in circumstances raising a reasonable presumption that the articles were intended to be introduced into the Maximum Security Prison. 

Marc Shaw Standard was charged with causing prohibited articles to be introduced into the Port of Spain Prison and possession of marijuana. 

At the Extended Remand Facility, Christian Huggins was charged with introducing prohibited articles into the Port of Spain Prison. 

Chris Maloney and Khalid Abdul Malick were jointly charged with introducing prohibited articles into the Port of Spain Prison. Malick was also separately charged with possession of marijuana. 

The TTPS said the prisoner processing exercise was coordinated by Deputy Commissioner of Police Suzette Martin.