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Businessman accused of bribing cop to release son from custody
– son remanded on illegal gun, ammo charges
Two men were caught during a sting operation bribing a police constable with $500,000 to secure the release of a prisoner, the police say.
Businessman Kamendra Raghubir of 171 ‘C’ Field Sophia and Anil Persaud, 24, a route 48 minibus conductor, of Ram Singh Street, South Sophia, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and pleaded not guilty to a charge of corrupt transaction.
Particulars of the charge alleged that on May 12 at Brickdam Police Station, they corruptly gave $500,000 to Police Constable Jerold Rodrigues, as inducement, to release Michael Raghubir, the son of Kamendra Raghubir, from police custody, an act in relation to his principle duties.
The defendants were each released on $200,000 bail with instructions to report to the Brickdam Police Station pending completion of the matter.
Police Prosecutor Arvin Moore told the court that the men were busted handing over the money to the police rank during a sting operation. According to the prosecutor, the money was inducement for police to release Michael Raghubir, who was arrested for illegal gun and ammunition possession, from police custody.
Raghubir and Persaud were charged based on advice given by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Prosecutor Moore revealed.
Based on reports, on May 9 police ranks on a motorcycle were conducting patrol duties on Vlissengen Road, Georgetown when they observed two men, one believed to be Michael Raghubir, proceeding in front of them on a CG motorcycle.
The motorcycle had no rear registration number plate and the riders were summoned by the police to stop. But the pillion rider reportedly took out a firearm from his waist and tossed it onto the parapet, while the rider sped away.
Police ranks went in pursuit of the men but failed to apprehend them at that time. They retrieved a .38 pistol along with five live rounds of .38 ammunition.
Michael Raghubir was later caught by police.
During a bail application, Attorney Glenn Hanoman told the court that Kamendra Raghubir is not a flight risk. Hanoman contended that the charge leveled against his client arose out of a misunderstanding.
According to Hanoman, his client was told by the police to bring the money to secure the release of his son. Hanoman said that it was while waiting for his receipt after handing over the money that the allegation was put to his client.
Meanwhile, Michael Raghubir stood calmly in the prisoner’s dock when charges for possession of illegal gun and ammunition were read to him by the Chief Magistrate.
It is alleged that the 19-year-old had a .38 pistol and five live rounds of .38 ammunition in his possession when he was not the holder of a firearm licence.
He, too, was represented by Attorney Glenn Hanoman who during a bail application said that his client had been voluntarily going to the police station. The lawyer pointed out that the teenager is not a flight risk.
He was subsequently remanded to prison until June 2, when he will appear before Magistrate Leron Daly.
On Monday, gold miner Ernest Trotman was released on $150,000 bail after it was alleged that he gave a police rank, Alex Vaughn, one ounce of raw gold to not press charges for trafficking narcotics against Wayne Stuart.
It is alleged that Trotman, 39, of 594 Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo handed over the gold to the rank at the Issano Police Station, Mazaruni.
However, Trotman’s attorney is contending that the gold was among a quantity of items her client declared after being searched by a rank.
That matter has been transferred to the Bartica Magistrate’s Court.
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