When a magistrate freed 21 men from Nelson Street, Port of Spain who were detained for suspected gang activities some media reports and government critics were quick to blame the security forces for locking up innocent citizens.
But the police are standing by their decision to detain the men in the first instance although the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) advised the courts that the state did not have enough evidence to prosecute the men.
Now a a video clip showing crime being committed in the Nelson Street area has surfaced and presented to members of the National Security Council, which is chaired by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Mervyn Richardson said on Morning television Wednesday that police acted against the Nelson Street group for good reason.
"We had collated an abundance of information and intelligence that speak to these guys and what was going on there," Richardson said on the First Up program on state-owned CNMG.
"We had collated an abundance of information and intelligence that speak to these guys and what was going on there," Richardson said on the First Up program on state-owned CNMG.
"I will now admit that if the State of Emergency was not actioned on the 21st of August, on the 21st, there would have been a massive operation taking place on Nelson Street regardless," he said.
Attorney General Anand Ramlogan also appeared on the show but did not make a positive identification of anyone. However he suggested that all the men are not innocent.
According to Ramlogan when some media and Internet postings made heroes and celebrities of the men he had to check.
Attorney General Anand Ramlogan also appeared on the show but did not make a positive identification of anyone. However he suggested that all the men are not innocent.
According to Ramlogan when some media and Internet postings made heroes and celebrities of the men he had to check.
"We were coming down hard on the police...When the police shared with us, I said, these guys are not how you (the media) are putting them across."
According to police records six of the 21 men are known to the police and are classified as known offenders. Some of them had outstanding convictions ranging from firearm offences, drug offences and assault.
One former detainee had 7 convictions and 10 matters pending for cocaine, larceny, robbery with violence and other offences.
Another former detainee was convicted twice for possession of marijuana, twice for cocaine possession, and once for assault. In addition he also has 13 matters pending for offences ranging from wounding to possession of arms and ammunition.
A third man was convicted of possession of marijuana and has 16 other charges pending, most for drug related offences.
Another has also been convicted for possession of marijuana and has six pending charges.
According to police records six of the 21 men are known to the police and are classified as known offenders. Some of them had outstanding convictions ranging from firearm offences, drug offences and assault.
One former detainee had 7 convictions and 10 matters pending for cocaine, larceny, robbery with violence and other offences.
Another former detainee was convicted twice for possession of marijuana, twice for cocaine possession, and once for assault. In addition he also has 13 matters pending for offences ranging from wounding to possession of arms and ammunition.
A third man was convicted of possession of marijuana and has 16 other charges pending, most for drug related offences.
Another has also been convicted for possession of marijuana and has six pending charges.
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