THE 85 patrons, who were allegedly caught by police during a raid at the Residence Night Club, One Woodbrook Place, St James, earlier this year are expected to be appear before a Port-of-Spain Magistrate on August 30.
On Friday, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) stated in a press release that the accused were charged via summons following an extensive investigation by Cpl Patino of the St James Police Station.
The owner of the nightclub was charged on January 25 with providing and selling alcohol for dining customers, exceeding 50% dining services for customers, being found in a public place where the number exceeded 10 and having a bar opened after authorised hours. Eight other employees were also charged with similar offenses.
At the point of the arrests, Public Health Ordinance Regulations stated that it was an offence to hold a public party or public fete, it was an offence for someone to be found at a public place where the number of persons gathered, at any time, exceeds ten and it was an offence for a restaurant, bar, or establishment, to sell or provide alcohol to its in-service customers.
On the night of January 24, Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith was alerted to a party at the residence where more than 100 persons had gathered. Griffith then spoke with Senior Superintendent of Police (Ag) Western Division Kelvern Thompson where an exercise was immediately coordinated where both the front and back entrances were blocked by police officers. Police entered the establishment and detained all the patrons, most of whom live in upscale areas of North Trinidad.
Most of the patrons were placed in the Police Detention Bus and taken to the St James Police Station. The exercise was coordinated by Senior Superintendent, Kelvern Thompson and Supt Henry, ASP Baird, Inspector Grant, Sgt Carmona with field operations by the Western Division Task Force, the Special Operations Response Team (SORT), and the Canine Branch.
