Monday, October 29 2012

The Anti-Kidnapping Unit and Central Division Police have joined the Coast Guard in their search for three fishermen who have been missing since last week Monday after leaving to go on a fishing expedition.

Relatives of the missing men reported the matter to Freeport police on Wednesday last and the Coast Guard were alerted. Extensive searches started but up to late yesterday there was no word on the whereabouts of the three: Derick Bilbadal, 36, Bisram “Pine” Sookdeo, 48 and Arnold Anoop, 37, Bilbadal’s brother-in-law, all of Brickfield Village, Waterloo Road, Carapichima .

The three fishermen left the Brickfield Fishing Depot, telling relatives they were going on a fishing expedition down the islands. Their vessel was a 28 foot white hull pirogue, registration number TCFA 1325.

They were scheduled to return at about 5 pm the same day, according to reports.

The men never returned and all calls to their cellphones went to voice mail. A missing person’s report was subsequently made to the police.

Public Relations Officer of the Coast Guard Lt Kirk Jean-Baptiste told Newsday all searches so far have turned up empty-handed. He confirmed that the Venezuelan authorities had been contacted and were asked to assist with the search in their waters.

Relatives of the missing men also met with their MP Ramona Ramdial, seeking her assistance in the matter.

Relatives said fishermen from the village have joined the search at sea for the missing men. Efforts are now being made by relatives to see if they could go to Venezuela to conduct their own searches to find the three.