National Security Minister Gary Griffith said yesterday the controversial surgery performed on a patient to remove 17 cocaine pellets is a either a massive fabrication or a massive cover-up. He made the statement in response to the claims last week that the police could not charge anyone due to a lack of evidence thus far.
The patient, 34, from Arouca, reportedly swallowed the pellets in a bid to smuggle the narcotic to England, but had to fly back home after falling sick there. Once back in Trinidad he was rushed for treatment at the St Augustine Private hospital after experiencing stomach pains.
Last Wednesday, acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams said the matter had been investigated thoroughly and the decision against laying charges was made on the advice of then deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Kathy Ann Waterman-Latchoo.
Waterman-Latchoo, who tendered her resignation in September, will be taking up a judgeship in St Vincent and the Grenadines.
Williams said there was no evidence which could be used to pursue prosecution against surgeon or patient at this time. But yesterday, Griffith assured that despite the lack of evidence the police were working on the matter.
The National Security Minister, who had a lengthy telephone conversation with Williams yesterday, said, “There is no evidence of cocaine pellets at this time. The medical notes say nothing about cocaine pellets being removed, we have no one admitting to removing cocaine pellets and we have no witnesses coming forward to say they actually saw cocaine pellets being removed from the patient.
“So given all this the police cannot charge anyone based simply on suspicion because there is no evidence to do so.” He said removing “foreign objects” from a patient’s stomach does not equate to admitting to having illegal drugs taken out. “If a doctor knowingly removes cocaine pellets and then hands it back to the patient then that is a criminal offence and it is grounds of aiding and abetting to a crime.
“If a doctors says he simply removed foreign objects that is a different case, leaving the police with nothing to go on. So either this is massive rumor mongering or a massive cover-up because there is nothing to prosecute in the first place,” Griffith added.
AG: Cops under microscope
Asked if he believed the matter will remain unsolved, Griffith said it could only be so if a criminal act was ascertained in the first place. “But the police are still working on this matter and they are continuing to look for evidence, but again it is difficult to go ahead if you have nothing solid to go on,” Griffith maintained. Also contacted yesterday, Attorney General Anand Ramlogan urged the police act with a great sense of urgency in bringing the matter to a close.
He said there were “many good officers” and called on members of the public to give them the benefit of the doubt and allow them to do their work.