Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro has confirmed that law enforcement officials carried out a search at the home of Chief Magistrate Brian Debideen, saying he will only provide “updates if and when necessary and appropriate to do so”.
He said that the updates will only be disclosed “if such disclosure does not prejudice the investigation or any ensuing legal proceeding”.
Attorney Prakash Ramadhar, who is representing the Chief Magistrate, confirmed the search, adding that his client fully cooperated with investigators and voluntarily handed over the electronic devices.
“Yes, there was in fact a warrant executed on the Chief Magistrate …seeking to get his electronic devices which he fully cooperated in handing over and we want to thank and congratulate the professional way in which the officer has acted.
“The Chief Magistrate is extremely cooperative and will do everything to assist whatever investigation and all we ask is for it to be comprehensive and to be done quickly to remove any doubts and negative thoughts about the office or the person,” Ramadhar told the Trinidad Express newspaper, adding that they were looking forward to a swift resolution of the “lurking suspicion” surrounding the matter.
Ramadhar said that no charges have been against the Chief Magistrate, adding “there’s an investigation in progress and he’s confident as I am, that at the end of which, all of it will be resolved favourably.
“It is easy to make allegations in this country, but that is why we always encourage a wholesome and comprehensive investigation.”
Media reports said that the warrant was executed as part of a wider investigation involving local and international law enforcement agencies and that the alleged offences being probed include money laundering, engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity, fraud, public corruption and bribery.
Guevarro confirmed that a “judicially authorised search warrant” was executed at the residence of a senior member of the judiciary and that it was “conducted under my direction as Commissioner of Police and coordinated by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Natasha George, and also involved officers of the Special Branch units operating under the portfolio of the Assistant Commissioner of Police responsible for white collar investigations, as well as the multi-option police section.”
Guevarro said that the search formed part of a broader investigation involving both local and international law enforcement partners and that several items considered to have evidential value had been seized.
“At this point, the investigation is at a sensitive stage, and thus, I am unable to comment on the specific operational details or any potential future investigative steps. To do so could compromise the integrity of the investigation and any subsequent judicial proceedings.”
Guevarro told the Express newspaper that the investigation would be conducted impartially, regardless of the office or position held by any individual under investigation. —PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC)
