Three policemen, one of whom was also charged with raping a Venezuelan woman, were granted bail yesterday, after being jointly charged with three counts of robbery in which it is alleged they relieved Trafficking in Persons victims of over 15 pennyweights of gold.
Constable Corwyn Mingo, Corporal Seon Jones, 34, and Corporal Tevin Estrado, 27, denied the charges which allege that between May 1 and May 30, 2018, at Makari Top, Mazaruni River, with intent to steal, they demanded with menace over three pennyweights of raw gold valued $31,500, from a complainant.
It was further alleged that during the same time and at the same location, with intent to steal, they demanded with menace six pennyweights of raw gold valued $63,000, from another complainant.
The last charge against the trio alleges that between May 1 and May 30, 2018, at Makari Top, Mazaruni River, with intent to steal, they demanded with menace six pennyweights of raw gold valued $63,000, from a third complainant.
Mingo was also charged separately with a rape offence. It was alleged that he, between May 1 and May 31, at Makari Top, Mazaruni River, engaged in the sexual penetration of a Venezuelan woman without her consent. He was not required to enter a plea after the indictable charge was read to him by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in Georgetown.
According to information, during the month of June, 2018, ranks from CID headquarters were investigating alleged cases of trafficking in persons thought to have been committed on three Venezuelan nationals.
During the said investigation, the accused, who were at that time stationed at the Issano Police Station, were identified as persons who demanded money from the alleged victims during a stop and search operation at Makari Top, Mazaruni River.
It was stated that the Venezuelans gave in to their demands and gave over 15 pennyweights of raw gold, valued $157,500, to the officers.
The officers were later positively identified via an identification parade as the persons
who demanded the money from the women.
With no objections by Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield, Jones and Estrado were granted bail in the sum of $30,000 on all three charges, while Mingo was granted bail in the sums of $30,000 and $150,000 on the robbery and rape charges, respectively.
The men are next scheduled to make their appearance at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court on May 16, 2019.
Notably, while prisoners are usually shackled and handcuffed when being escorted through the prisoners’ chute, the three officers were spared that requirement and were allowed to walk freely out of the chute, while officers stationed at the Magistrates’ Court attempted to block their faces, so they could not be photographed.
