As investigations continue into the firebombing of a home in Penal linked to the alleged false imprisonment of Sabita Basdeo, police investigators yesterday confirmed they were widening their probe into a criminal network operating in South Trinidad.
Police sources said yesterday that the probe was at a sensitive stage. They were therefore unable to release any details at this stage.
However, the suspected arson and firebombing of the house at Deosaran Trace, San Francique, has also intensified concerns by Basdeo’s family and others in the community about the safety of witnesses and the handling of the high-profile case.
Firefighters responded shortly after 6 am yesterday to a blaze at a three-bedroom concrete house along Deosaran Trace, San Francique. The property was unoccupied at the time.
Fire prevention officers found a broken bedroom window from which they believe a Molotov cocktail was allegedly thrown, igniting the blaze. While the structure remained standing, several rooms, including a bedroom at the back of the house, were gutted.
Fire officers from the Penal Fire Station managed to contain the flames before they could spread to the rest of the house.
The development has heightened concerns over the Basdeo case, with renewed calls for police accountability and protection for the victim and her family.
Police had previously been urged to conduct searches at the Deosaran Trace residence and a nearby property linked to the suspects, against a backdrop of unverified allegations circulating on social media.
Social media personality Vicky Rampersad has since joined calls for urgent intervention, urging the authorities to ensure the safety of Basdeo and her relatives. Rampersad, who is currently abroad, echoed concerns raised by the vice-president of the Trinidad and Tobago Red Cross Society, Edward Moodie, who has been advocating for the family’s protection.
She also appealed to members of the public to respect the family’s privacy, warning that continued attention could place them at further risk.
Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro has launched a formal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the case. Prior to the fire yesterday, officers had conducted searches at several locations linked to the suspects in the Barrackpore area.
In an earlier statement, Guevarro said the case has raised serious concerns about the conduct of police officers and the level of service provided to the public. He warned that any wrongdoing or failure to act would not be tolerated and that those responsible would be held fully accountable.
He also reminded the public of the T&T Police Service’s “one-door policy,” which requires all reports made at any police station to be formally received and documented, stressing that no citizen should be turned away. Members of the public were advised to note officers’ names and badge numbers and report any misconduct to oversight bodies, including the Police Complaints Authority.
On Tuesday, the CoP also urged members of the public to come forward with any information they may have on the case.
Before the arrest of a woman and a teenage male relative, Basdeo’s family said they had made repeated attempts to get help from the police. Basdeo had allegedly been lured to leave her home with the promise of a job as a maid and then kept against her will, where she reportedly endured abuse.
Relatives said her husband and two sons were beaten and chased when they attempted to visit and rescue her. In a separate incident in 2022, a police officer related to Basdeo was also reportedly attacked, leading to a malicious damage report.
Basdeo was eventually freed last Saturday after CoP Guevarro ordered an investigation based on confidential information.
The woman and the teenager remain in police custody in connection with the alleged false imprisonment.
No charges have yet been laid as investigations continue.
