AZIZI JAMES, aka Crime Boss and Crimey, 27, has been charged with the offence of Professing to be a Gang Member by associating himself with gang- related activities in order to intimidate other persons.
James, of East Dry River, Port-of-Spain, appeared virtually before Magistrate Maureen Baboolal-Gafoor at the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ Court today and was granted bail in the sum of $170,000 with a cash alternative of $20,000.
James was ordered not to appear on social media platforms, Tik Tok, Facebook, Instagram, or even a dating site. The case was adjourned to August 6th and he is to report to the Besson Street Police Station every Tuesday and Friday between the hours 6 am to 6 pm.
James was charged after an investigation was launched by the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) into the contents of a video which was uploaded to Instagram on June 2, 2021.
Assistance was sought from the Police Cyber Crime Unit and statements were recorded from several persons.
Investigators had a consultation with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) where they received instructions to arrest and charge the suspect. It is the first charge under the new Anti-Gang Act.
On July 7th, investigators executed a search warrant at the home of the suspect who was arrested and taken to the Besson Street Police Station.
On July 8th, AZIZI JAMES was formally charged for the offence professing to be a Gang Member by associating himself with gang-related activities in order to intimidate other persons contrary, to the Anti-Gang Act 4 of 2021, section 5(1) (d).
This exercise was coordinated by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Investigations and Intelligence), Mc Donald Jacob, and Senior Supt Christopher Paponette.
It was spearheaded by Supt Michael Veronique and other officers of the SIU and the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) under the direction of legal officer, Zaheer Ali.
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