PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, Wednesday February 26, 2020 – Two police officers are among three people scheduled to appear in court today charged with trafficking a child for the purpose of exploitation, under Section 18 of the Trafficking in Persons Act.
The lawmen – 47-year-old Acting Inspector Rajesh Gookool and Acting Sergeant Richard Lalbeharry, 43 – both of whom were last attached to the Central Division, were also charged with receiving a benefit knowing that it resulted from the offence of trafficking in a child, supporting a gang in the commission of gang-related activity, and misbehaviour in public office.
Inspector Gookool was additionally charged with sexual penetration of a child.
The third accused, 39-year-old bar manager Matthew Ross, also faces a charge of supporting a gang in the commission of gang-related activity.
A statement form the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) said the three men were among four suspects arrested by officers of a Special Task Force put together by Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith, in conjunction with the Counter-Trafficking Unit, during an anti-crime exercise conducted in the Central Division last Friday.
The accused were suspected of trafficking in persons, mainly minors, from Venezuela.
Police said investigations are continuing in the matter.
