MORE than $77,000 has been seized from the assets of a Fairways, Maraval, gang leader who was fatally shot in Laventille in April last year.
On Friday Chief Magistrate Busby Earl-Caddle via virtual hearing of the Port-of-Spain Eighth Magistrate’s Court ordered that $77,620.25 seized from gang leader Dwayne Felix Thomas be forfeited.
On February, 14, 2018, TT$13,500 and US $9,500 were seized from Dwayne Felix Thomas at the Morvant Police Station.
The cash was seized pursuant to the Proceeds of Crime Act Chapter 11:27, a release from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service stated.
On February 16, 2018, a cash detention order was granted by acting Deputy Chief Nanette Forde-John at the Port-of-Spain 8th Magistrate’s Court for an initial period of three months.
This order was granted to allow for continued investigations into the legitimacy of the source of the funds or its intended use.
The currency which amounted to TT$77,620.25 was deposited into the Treasury by virtue of Section 38 (5) of the Proceeds of Crime Act.
Inspector Seecharan, of the Financial Investigations Branch (FIB) conducted enquires, interviewed persons, made requests to several State agencies, received responses, and submitted a file with his findings and recommendations.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) was engaged and on February 14, 2020, an application for forfeiture of the seized cash was laid at the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ Court.
On April 24, 2020, Dwayne Felix Thomas, 33, of Fairways, Maraval, was shot multiple times at Snake Valley, Laventille, and died from gunshot wounds.
In 2018, Thomas was charged with organizing, planning and facilitating a gang in committing an offence, while others were charged with providing support to a gang by assisting in the trafficking of drugs.
On November 8, 2018, police officers raided an apartment located at Macaya Trace, Munroe Road, Cunupia.
During the raid, officers found and seized a large cache of assault rifles and over 80 kilogrammes of marijuana, with a street value of over $1 million.
The State was represented by State Attorney Anastacia Mc Meo of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
