Rhondor Dowlat-Rostant

Five Trinidadian men and six Venezuelan nationals yesterday appeared in court charged under the Public Health [2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)] (No. 9) Regulations, 2020, after being held while by police while attending a COVID party.

Trinidadians Bruce Bowen and Dominic Suraj, both of Maraval, Christopher Wilson, of Belmont, Collin Ramjohn, of Point Cumana and Marlon Hinds, of Diego Martin, were among 16 people held during an operation conducted by the Special Operations Response Team (SORT) at Alicia’s Guest House, St Ann’s, last Friday. The raid was led by Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith.

Venezuelan nationals Luz Marinavargas Ibarra, Dana Fuentes Mudarra, Gresel Goncalez, Yulangi Del Carmen Prospertt Array, Luisneidis Marino and Mariangel Del Valle Lopez Ramos were also among those held at the location.

The 11 suspects were subsequently charged with the offence of gathering in a public place where the number of people gathered exceeded five.

They all appeared before Port-of-Spain Magistrate Adia Mohammed via video conferencing yesterday.

The Trinidadian men were granted own bail in the sum of $20,000 each on the condition that they remain at their residences between 6 pm and 8 am until the COVID-19 restrictions lifted. The non-nationals were denied bail and remanded into custody.