Sixteen prisoners appeared at court on Tuesday to answer to 66 additional charges, after officers conducted a series of intelligence-led exercises, targeting high risk inmates at the Port of Spain Prison.
Based on credible information, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Intelligence and Investigations, Suzette Martin initiated ‘Operation Intercept’.
On 8th July 2024 a team of officers and a party of Prison Officers conducted an exercise at the Port of Spain Prison, where they found and seized 39 cell phones and 749 grams of marijuana from several high risk inmates.
Nine inmates, five of whom are currently serving sentences for Murder were subsequently charged.
Romeo Shanchez was charged with Possession of Prohibited Articles, namely one cell phone, sim card, one pack of wrapping paper, 26 Lucky Strike cigarettes and 41 packets of marijuana.
Jeremy Yeates was charged with Possession of Prohibited Article, namely a cell phone.
Sayyid Albert was charged with Possession of Prohibited Articles, namely two cell phones, one charging block and charging cable and failing to give his finger print impression.
Jabari Williams aka Shaquille Drayton was charged with Possession of Prohibited Articles, namely a cell phone, four ear pieces for a head set, charging block and charging cable.
Kelt Kirt was charged with Possession of Prohibited Articles, namely a cell phone, phone charger and charging block.
Travis Polo was charged with Possession of Prohibited Articles, namely two cell phones and one sim card.
Mickel Antoine aka Sponge Bob was charged with Possession of Prohibited Articles, namely two cell phones, one Bluetooth headset, Samsung charging block, wired headset, two sim cards, black and white charging cord and failing to give finger print impressions.
Kendell Gomez was charged with Possession of Prohibited Article, namely one cell phone and failing to give his finger print impressions.
Michael Wilson was charged with Possession of a Prohibited Article namely one cell phone.
Additionally, between the hours of 7pm on 13th July and 1 am on 14th July 2024, another Operation Intercept exercise was conducted at the Port of Spain Prison.
With the assistance of a party of Prison Officers the team found and seized one cell phone, 26 grams of marijuana, two grams of Ecstasy from several high risk inmates.
Celeb Donaldson was charged with Possession of Prohibited Articles, namely one cell phone, one sim card, one lighter, wrapping paper, cigarettes and a quantity of marijuana.
On 25th July, 2024, officers seized one cell phone from a high risk inmate.
Sheldon Thomas aka Shaka aka Rhino was charged with being in possession of Prohibited Articles namely one cell phone, one sim card, failing to give his finger print impressions and threatening language by four counts.
And, on 6th August, 2024, the team of officers seized three cell phones, 89 grams of marijuana, cigarettes, wrapping paper and one shank (improvised weapon) from several high risk inmates.
Theon Agard was charged with Possession of Prohibited Articles, namely one Samsung A series cell phone, 58 grams of marijuana, one lighter, one white Bluetooth wireless headset, two large packs of cigarettes, one black Samsung charging block, one white USB cable, and four sheets of wrapping paper.
Renrick Paris aka Trigger was charged with Possession of Prohibited Articles, namely one Samsung cell phone, one white charger, one white USB cable, one electronic lighter and a quantity of marijuana.
Sh’keem Jerome AJ Cadiz was charged with Possession of Prohibited Articles, namely one Samsung cell phone, cigarette, one lighter, wrapping paper.
Antonio Marcell aka Antonio James was charged with Possession of Prohibited Articles namely one shank (improvised weapon), sim card, one charger and charging block and one white wired headset.
Ashton Merdian aka Doi was charged with Possession of Prohibited Articles, namely cigarettes, 15 grams of marijuana, one lighter, two charging cables and two USB cables.
All of the accused appeared in court yesterday and the matters were adjourned to the 28th and 29th August 2024.
DCP Suzette Martin thanked the team of officers for their relentless effort throughout the series of exercises and commented, “Our intelligence indicated that illegal and criminal activities could be linked to certain high risk inmates, and we used this intelligence to restrict these activities, which will redound to greater safety for law –abiding citizens.”
She concluded by saying “Members of the public are warned to desist from facilitating prisoners’ access to illegal contraband, it is against the law and this illegal activity will be met with the full force of the law”.