Venezuelans on gun charge

Three Venezuelan nationals and two Trinidadians were arrested last Friday and charged with possession of an illegal firearm.

The five men were arrested by officers of the South Western Division Task Force, during an anti-crime exercise conducted between 12 am and 4 am, in the Chatham district.

Saif Phagoo, 20, a joiner, Nathaniel Squires, 33, a machine operator, and three Venezuelans employed as labourers; Victor Jose Capriata Estrada, 28, Jeffery Rodriguez, 31, and Roberto Dampath, 24, all of Couva, appeared before magistrate Taramatie Ramdass, in the second Magistrates’ Court, last Friday, to answer to the charge.

Phagoo and Squires were granted bail with surety in the amounts of $30,000 and $20,000 respectively, while Estrada, Rodriguez and Dampath, were denied bail and remanded into custody. According to information given to the police, officers proceeded to Chatham South Trace, Chatham, where they stop a gold BMW occupied by five men. A search of the vehicle allegedly resulted in one wooden and metal shotgun being discovered on the floor of the back seat of the vehicle. The matter has been adjourned to tomorrow.