A Police Constable attached to the Child Protection Unit (CPU) at the Chaguanas Police Station has been charged for allegedly, corruptly soliciting money, and corruptly receiving money on 25th July 2022.

No. 19729 Naboth Bynoe, 35, of Freeport, was charged with corruptly soliciting the sum of $5,000 and corruptly receiving the sum of $2,500, following advice received from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Roger Gaspard SC, on Saturday 30th July 2022.

According to a Police report, two (2) individuals reported to the Chaguanas Police Station that on the 24th July 2022, they were seated in Price Plaza’s car park when they were approached by a Police Officer who allegedly said that they were engaging in a criminal act.

The Officer also advised both individuals that there were other offences reported at the Chaguanas Police Station, in which they were suspects.

The Officer informed the victims that he would accept the sum of $5,000 to forego prosecution against them. The sum of $2,500 was handed over with arrangements to hand over the balance on 26th July 2022. The victim's cellphone was taken with a promise to return it after the balance was paid.

Constable Samad was detailed to investigate and on 25th July 2022, he proceeded to Saith Park, Chaguanas, accompanied with other Officers and both victims, where Constable Bynoe was arrested.

Additional investigations were conducted and as a result of the investigations, charges were laid.

TSTT'S CEO Lisa Agard is assuring that all efforts are being made to restore service to customers adversely impacted by a malicious act, targeting the company's underground cables. Agard is also apologizing to customers for the inconvenience this vandalism has caused.

Preliminary investigations reveal a major act of vandalism on a critical cable artery that services customers in South Trinidad, resulting in customers' mobile and internet services being severely impacted.

”To our loyal customers, our sincerest apologies for this inconvenience. We give you the assurance that our teams are working really hard to restore services as quickly as possible,” Agard said on Sunday (31st July 2022).

Once information about the outage was received, she explained that transmission, cable and splicing crews were immediately dispatched to isolate and repair the many fibre cables that were cut during this “illegal and selfish act.” The company also deployed network and broadband engineers who are rebuilding a link that will offer an alternative route from the impacted area to the nearest interconnection point, in order to normalize traffic across the network.

”We do expect to see normalization of services to areas in the South like Siapria, La Brea, Penal, Point Fortin and others. We expect to see those services stabilized by about 3pm - 4pm this afternoon,” she added.

​Agard also thanked the Commissioner of Police for the swift response to this act of vandalism. “We want to take this opportunity to thank the Commissioner of Police and his team who came to the location of the vandalism and immediately began intensive investigations to determine who was responsible for this serious act of vandalism that took out a significant number of services to our customers throughout Trinidad and Tobago.”

A high-powered Police team has been assembled to investigate a malicious act, targeting TSTT's underground cables which resulted in service disruptions to customers and at least $1 million in damages.

Officers from the Special Branch, Central Intelligence Bureau, Criminal Investigations Department (San Fernando) have been tasked by Police Commissioner (Ag) McDonald Jacob with finding the perpetrators whose deliberate acts inconvenienced thousands of people and businesses.

​”The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service views this occurrence as a serious infringement on the communication apparatus of this country. At a first glance, it appeared to be malicious damage and larceny. From speaking with the technical people at TSTT, it is amounting to approximately $1 million in damages,” he added.

The Police Commissioner is confident that the culprits will be brought to justice soon.

“There are some leads, and we are looking in the near future to solve this matter as we continue with the good co-operation of the TSTT security and the administration of TSTT.”

​This is a developing story - refresh this page for updates.

Two (2) supplementary emergency numbers have been activated by the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC) for customers who may be experiencing difficulty getting through to T&TEC's 800-emergency numbers: 794-4823 or 794-7264.

T&TEC said trouble reports can also be made via the Commission's Facebook Page or using the "Lights Out?" link on its website: https://ttec.co.tt/default/report-a-problem-power-outage.

Customers on other networks can still contact the Call Centre at 800-TTEC (800-8832) or 800-BULB (800-2852).

The Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) said this morning (Sunday 31st July 2022) that preliminary investigations reveal a major act of vandalism on a critical cable artery that services customers in South Trinidad. TSTT said as a result, customers' mobile, internet and other services will be severely impacted. Customers in other parts of the country may also experience a degradation or interruption in their service because of this act of vandalism.

The Ministry of Health revealed in its daily COVID-19 update this afternoon (Sunday 31st July 2022) that there are 176 new COVID-19 cases in Trinidad and Tobago plus two (2) unfortunate deaths. T&T’s total active positive cases is currently at 6,359.

The number of new cases represents an 8.64% increase in reported cases from yesterday. The number of new deaths matches the second-highest for the month. Hospitalizations are at the highest level for the month and have been increasing for seven (7) consecutive days.

There have been 4,413 new cases and forty-two (42) deaths in the month of July. Compared to June, cases have decreased by 19.95% and deaths by 55.32%.

The Ministry reported 162 new cases yesterday plus three (3) additional deaths. The country’s death toll has increased to 4,053. As of 27th July 2022, 301 deaths were fully vaccinated persons while 3,355 deaths were not fully vaccinated. 390 deaths were recorded prior to 24th May 2021 (date at which the first group of vaccinated persons became fully vaccinated).

A total of 715,515 persons have been fully vaccinated, representing 51.1% of the population. Meanwhile, 684,485 persons are not fully vaccinated (only received a first dose or no doses), representing 48.9% of the population. 167,342 persons in total have taken a booster shot.

Based on data from 22nd July 2021 - 27th July 2022, 3,880 patients in the parallel healthcare system (Hospitals and step-down facilities) are fully vaccinated, representing 19.7%, while 15,838 are not fully vaccinated, representing 80.3%.

The Ministry states that the number of positive cases reported reflects the samples taken during a 2-day period between 29th - 30th July 2022 and not the last twenty-four (24) hours.

The Ministry also notes that there are currently 145 COVID-19 positive patients in total being treated at Hospitals and step-down facilities (up 6.62% from yesterday). Five (5) are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and four (4) are in the High Dependency Unit (HDU).

A malicious act targeting TSTT's underground cables overnight has resulted in service interruptions to some of its customers. The company said in a Media Release this morning (Sunday 31st July 2022) that it has mobilized crews and is working assiduously to restore service in the shortest time possible.

Preliminary investigations reveal a major act of vandalism on a critical cable artery that services customers in South Trinidad. TSTT said as a result, customers' mobile, internet and other services will be severely impacted. Customers in other parts of the country may also experience a degradation or interruption in their service because of this act of vandalism.

TSTT states it “strongly condemns these deliberate and selfish acts that negatively impact customers, communities and businesses and reminds those responsible that there are legal implications when caught. The company has engaged the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service and an investigation is being launched into this latest incident.”

TSTT is assuring customers that repairs are underway and full service is expected to be restored later today.

Bmobile issued a statement this morning saying, ”Dear valued customer, We are aware that some customers are experiencing mobile and internet challenges and other service interruptions. Our crews have been working tirelessly to ensure service is restored in the shortest time possible. We will continue to monitor the situation and keep you updated until the issues are resolved.”

Two (2) men were arrested for larceny of cables belonging to the Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) which occurred in the Aranguez district on Monday 25th July 2022.

Reports indicate that around 6:30 PM on Monday 25th July 2022, Officers of the Barataria Emergency Response Patrol were on mobile patrol in the Aranguez district when they observed a length of utility cable on the ground next to a black Nissan B-15 motor vehicle.

When the Officers stopped to inspect the vehicle, they observed a male suspect hiding in the back seat along with cutting implements. The man allegedly told Officers that he had an accomplice who had fled the scene. The man was arrested and taken to the Barataria Police Station.

Shortly after, a man arrived at the Station and allegedly reported to Officers that around 12:30 PM on Monday 25th July 2022, he was relieved of his black Nissan B-15 motor vehicle by three (3) men, one of whom, he claimed, was armed with an object resembling a firearm.

Investigators, who had previously looked at CCTV footage of the area, identified the man as being the first suspect’s accomplice and subsequently arrested him.

The men, both ages thirty-three (33) of Morvant, are to be charged with larceny of TSTT cables and wasteful employment.

Police and Fire Officers were on the scene of a fatal accident that accured just before 4:00 AM this morning (Sunday 31st July 2022) at the roundabout at the end of the Sir Solomon Hochoy Highway in Debe. According to reports, a car driven by Vinod Maharaj crashed into the concrete barriers at the end of the incomplete Highway, killing him on impact. At least two (2) other drivers have been killed at that spot in recent years.

Early yesterday morning (Saturday 30th July 2022), three (3) youths from Trincity escaped with their lives when they crashed into the same concrete barriers at that roundabout while on their way to an event in Debe. Following yesterday’s incident, Member of Parliament for Oropouche West, Davendranath Tancoo, asked the question in a press statement, “How many more must die?”

​MP Tancoo said that the unfinished Highway, which ends prematurely in Debe, needs immediate mechanisms to alert drivers. “Motorists have complained that the lighting at the site is in the wrong position as it is facing Northward, directly into the eyes of oncoming drivers. This can cause temporary disorientation and loss of vision with potentially tragic results,” he said. “For those not accustomed to the area, the Highway ends abruptly at a roundabout which is not lit with alert lighting or reflective signs. Several lives have already been lost at this spot, with countless persons having damaged their vehicles in accidents.”

The MP added, “Flashing alert lights and warning signs visible in the day and night to warn drivers are needed immediately to stop the accidents and loss of life.” He is calling on the Minister of Works and Transport, Rohan Sinanan, “to act urgently and not wait until another life is lost!"

In April 2022, a Chaguanas man died when the vehicle he was driving crashed and exploded at the end of the Sir Solomon Hochoy Highway in Debe. He was identified as Terry Subnaik, of Lime Head Road, Chase Village. The accident occurred at around 5:30 AM. Police said Subnaik was driving his Nissan AD wagon south along the Sir Solomon Hochoy Highway Extension when he crashed into a concrete barrier. His vehicle burst into flames. Police said the driver was burnt beyond recognition. He was identified after Police traced the vehicle's registration number.

In February 2021, a 41-year-old man of St Ann's was killed after his vehicle collided with the concrete barriers. The deceased was identified as Hilson Pierre of Symond Valley Road. A Police report at the time said that around 9:00 PM, Pierre was the driver of a white Nissan Tiida on the Southbound lane of the Highway Extension, when upon reaching the roundabout at Ghandi Village, he failed to stop.

This is a developing story - refresh this page for updates.

​[Source: Trinidad Express]

A 41-year-old man was granted bail in the sum of $75,000 with surety when he appeared before Magistrate Aden Stoute at the Siparia Magistrates' Court on the 28th July 2022, charged with the offence of rape. He is expected to re-appear in Court on 25th August 2022.

Mitra Hassanali, of Diamond Village, San Fernando was arrested and charged for the offence by Corporal Madhoo of the San Fernando Process Office on 27th July 2022.

According to a Police report, on 1st August 2002, a woman reported that she was raped by a man at her home at South Trunk Road, South Oropouche.

An investigation was launched, and a warrant was issued for the arrest of Hassanali. Corporal Madhoo conducted extensive enquiries into the whereabouts of Hassanali who was eventually located at Berridge Trace, South Oropouche on the 27th July 2022, where he was apprehended.