Six accused drug traffickers, charged with shooting at a group of police officers, were yesterday granted a total of $2.1 million in bail. The men, all from Diego Martin, were each granted $350,000 bail when they appeared before Magistrate Gloria Jasmath in the Port-of-Spain Magistrate’s Court.
The men are Jahzeel Joseph, 27, of Sea Trace, River Estate; Salim Walker, 25, also of Sea Trace; Joseph Dass, 24, of Evergreen, Bagatelle; Richard Roberts, 21, of Savannah Terrace; David Richards, 35 Queen Drive, Bagatelle; and Dwight Frank, 23, of Andrew Street. Police prosecutor Sgt Stanley Joseph did not oppose bail but asked for conditions to be attached to their bail bonds. The group was represented by Criston Williams.
Jasmath agreed with Joseph’s request and ordered the men to surrender their passports and report to the West End Police Station every Monday and Wednesday. The group was arrested last Monday during an exercise along the North Post Road, Diego Martin, by Western Division police. Officers reportedly seized almost 600 kilos of marijuana as well as a .40 calibre gun. A seventh suspect, Marlon Reyes, 37, from Bagatelle, Diego Martin, was shot dead by police during the exercise.
The drugs, stored in 20 crocus bags, was taken to the St Vincent Street, Port-of-Spain, courthouse yesterday in the back of a police bus. The haul was inspected by Jasmath, the accused men and their attorney. The illegal gun and eight rounds of ammunition were also tendered into evidence. Jasmath ordered that the drugs and firearm be taken to the Forensic Science Centre, St James for forensic testing.
The group initially appeared in court last Friday but were remanded into custody because their criminal tracing records were still being processed. Joseph is facing two charges of marijuana trafficking while the five others are jointly charged with trafficking six kilos of marijuana. The five others are also charged with possession of a pistol and eight rounds of ammunition, and possession of the gun and ammunition with intent to endanger life.
They were also charged with shooting with intent to do grievous bodily harm to Constables Jared Cario, Jason Clement, Alvin Duntin and Corporals Marlon Linton and Dillon Constantine. All the charges were laid indictably and the men were not called upon to enter pleas.
The group is expected to reappear on October 8.