A magistrate in Port of Spain has refused bail for Khalil Karamath, 22, the son of the late Hafeez Karamath and Khalil's wife, Sabeerah Mohammed, 23.Four other relatives who had been detained in a raid last week at Karamath's home have been granted bail.
Officers from the Anti-Corruption Investigations Bureau (ACIB) who conducted the raid say last Thursday say they found 18 high-powered guns, ammunition, marijuana and the devices used to smoke marijuana at Karamath’s Valsayn home.
They were looking for documents and other information in connection with their investigations into the late Karamath's dealings with UDeCOTT, Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago.
UDeCOTT awarded Karamath’s construction company contracts valued at several million dollars on government projects including the controversial Brian Lara Stadium.
The younger Karamath and Mohammed have been charged with possession of firearms, possession of ammunition, possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking and possession of a device used to smoke marijuana.
Their lawyer pleaded for the bail, telling the presiding magistrate that the couple did not have any previous convictions and gave the assurance that they are not a flight risk.
However the police prosecutor argued that while the prosecution had little grounds to object to bail the court should consider the number of guns found at the Karamath home.
“Today in this society there is a prevalence of guns and society right now is at siege with various offences that are committed by the possession of guns" Surrendra Sagramsingh said.
“Very often we blame the small man on the street for guns that allow the state of lawlessness in the country but this find shows a different spin on things,” he told the court.
The magistrate decided to keep the men in custody while she reviews the bail application. The couple will be back in court Tuesday to hear the magistrate's verdict.
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