Two police officers and a civilian were granted bail by a Justice of the Peace (JP), after they were charged with misbehaviour in public office and money laundering, by officers of the Professional Standards Bureau (PSB).
No. 19945 PC DARRYL PHAGOO, 27, last attached to the San Fernando Police Station, No. 20754 PC DAVID BAKER, 29, last attached to the Barrackpore Police Station and NAZIAMODEEN ALI, aka ‘Lole’, 39, of Diego Martin, were jointly charged with misbehaviour in public office to wit conspiracy to steal a quantity of birds from a victim and one count of money laundering. PCs Phagoo and Baker were also jointly charged with one count of misbehaviour in public office to wit by corruptly demanding a firearm from a victim, as a bribe and forbearing to act as police officers in the detection of a crime. PC Phagoo was additionally charged with one count of doing an act with the tendency to pervert the course of justice contrary to common law.
The men were charged with the offences following advice received from Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard SC, on Friday 29th April, 2022. The men appeared before JP Abrahim Ali and PC Phagoo was granted bail with surety in the sum of $175,000 to cover all four charges, PC Baker was granted bail in the sum of $150,000 to cover all three charges and Ali was granted bail in the sum of $75,000 to cover his two charges.
It is alleged that on April 4th, 2022, the victim made arrangements with a man to sell 40 bullfinch birds valued at $10,000, when he was approached by two police officers who informed him that the birds were illegal. The officers then allegedly asked the victim what he could do for them and he offered the birds to the officers. The officers however demanded a gun from the victim. The victim informed the officers that all he had were the birds and they subsequently took them from him.
The officers then allegedly met with the original buyer and sold him the birds for $8,000. A report of the incident was made to the PSB and an investigation launched, spearheaded by W/Snr. Supt. Suzette Martin, and coordinated by Supt. Montrichard and supervised by Insps. Narine and Sylvan. The two PCs were arrested on Monday 25th April, 2022, while Ali was arrested on Tuesday 26th, April, 2022. They were charged by Sgt. (Ag.) Naitram of the PSB on Friday 29th April, 2022. The three are due to appear before the San Fernando Magistrates’ Court on May 31st 2022.
