By ALEXANDER BRUZUAL Saturday, August 15 2009

DESPITE several assurances by police yesterday, an Acting Corporal charged with possession of cocaine and marijuana, failed to appear before a Port-of-Spain magistrate to answer the charge.

Reporters from the electronic and print media virtually camped outside the court on St Vincent Street in Port-of-Spain as early as 8.30 am to record the officer’s appearance.

Initially, several police sergeants confirmed to reporters that the policeman remained in custody but they were skeptical about his appearance yesterday, as they said his processing had not been completed.

The officers explained that they were told earlier in the morning the acting corporal was awaiting to be identified by a witness. However, once this was completed, they said the accused should be brought before a magistrate.

Through sun and then rain, reporters remained for several hours outside the courthouse but the officer never showed up.

Things became hopeful in the late afternoon when the officer’s name was being drafted to the case sheet to be brought before the Late Court, presided over by Magistrate Alexander Prince.

However at about 4 pm when the Magistrate rose, the case was not called.

The remaining sergeants at the court could not explain why the accused was not brought, however they suggested the remaining processing procedures may have delayed the investigating officers at the Criminal Intelligence Unit. The corporal is expected to be brought before the court on Monday.

The officer who worked at the St Joseph Police Station was arrested on Thursday following a raid at his Arouca home by CIU officers where illegal drugs were allegedly found. Thirty-eight officers were transferred from the St Joseph Police Station immediately following the discovery of a cache of arms and ammunition and a quantity of narcotics in the ceiling of an office at the station last week Saturday.