Attorney of alleged ‘gangster cop’ cries foul - Questions why another accused was released

Vincent Wellesley, attorney for one of the cops accused of being part of the Clarendon-based Ranko gang, yesterday questioned why another accused was given what he considers preferential treatment.

Wellesley submitted to the court that his client, who is a constable, was to be the subject of an identification (ID) parade on Monday afternoon. However, he was informed that his client was further remanded until later this week.

"Your Honour, why I raised this issue is that I have recently learnt that they expeditiously either conducted an ID parade or not for another officer who is connected to a senior member of the police force and that police[man] was released. Now the 'animal farm' kind of approach to this investigation is untenable. So I am hoping and I am asking Your Honour to intervene so that the identification parade can be expeditiously held and he be released, Your Honour," he pleaded with Senior Parish Judge Lori-Ann Cole-Montague in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court.

Wellesley made reference to Monday's announcement by Assistant Commissioner of Police Anthony McLaughlin, head of the Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime (CTOC) branch, that another cop implicated in the investigation, who was arrested last Friday, was released as two witnesses refused to participate in the ID parade.

However, the court was informed that the investigating officer assigned to the case was involved in another court hearing which delayed the parade. The CTOC representative shared with the court that the documents have since been served on the accused man and refuted Wellesley's claim that an ID parade was held on Monday. He could not provide a date for the exercise to take place. Wellesley again questioned why the other cop was released while his client remains in custody.

SPECIAL TREATMENT

"Because when they [CTOC] spoke, they said 'All these men, save none, were involved in gang activity'. So why the special treatment for this police?" he asked.

The judge, in her response, said nothing in the country should be kept a secret, as holders of public office are subjected to "reasonable scrutiny." The matter is to be mentioned on March 31.

Eight policemen have been identified as members of the gang, allegedly headed by Constable Tafari Silvera who was arrested last June. Four policemen were taken into custody last Friday and are accused of being participants in a string of gang-related activities in 2019.

The Ranko Gang, which has been fingered in 17 incidents, is alleged to have carried out various crimes including shootings, burglaries and abductions in several parishes including Clarendon, Manchester and St James between 2019 and 2021.