Wilkie Arthur

Freelance Court Correspondent

#TurksandCaicos, May 11, 2024 – A former FedEx employee and now fireman, TRISTON NEWBOLD is on trial for allegedly illegally attempting to import 14 vials of “liquid marijuana vapes” into the Turks and Caicos from Canada.

It is alleged that on Wednesday January 8, 2024 at Cairsea Services transit shed on Providenciales, he did improperly import a quantity of suspected THC vapes cartridges, packages in a manner appearing as intended to deceive Customs officials.

The trial is underway part-heard before his honor, the Chief Magistrate Mr. Jolyon Hatmin.

It commenced in the Magistrate’s court on Tuesday April16th.

Senior Customs officer of 18 years, Alton Scott was the first witness called by the public prosecutor, Ms. Alima Alexis, for the Crown. Scott testified that he was called to Cairsea Services concerning a package that arrived from Toronto, Canada bearing the accused’s name.

The Senior Customs officer said when he arrived, around 11:35 a.m. and sent for the accused man he returned.  Newbold was reportedly asked if that was his name on the package, at which time he acknowledged that it was.  He was then asked, if the package was his, again he said yes it was his.

Senior defense counsel, Mrs. Lara Maroof-Misick challenged that testimony, however officer Scott did not alter his account of the events of that day; adamant that the accused man ‘told me the package was his.’

Other items besides the suspected cannabis vapes oils were in the package, including two small stuffed animals, two small toy balls and other unsuspicious items.

The senior customs official told the court that they tried to rectify this within their powers under the Customs Ordinances by charging TRISTON NEWBOLD a fine of $1,500.00, and that would be the end of the matter, and they had also given him some time to pay the fine, however, the accused refused to pay within the time frame offered and was subsequently arrested and charged to appear before the court.

Mrs. Lara Maroof Misick questioned the senior officer about interviewing or recording statements from her client whilst the investigation interviews were ongoing, after which the trial was adjourned.

The trial continues on May 30th 2024.

Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer 

The Turks and Caicos has recorded the 12th murder of the year following the May 8 discovery of a body in Five Cays, Providenciales. News of the incident came late afternoon on Wednesday when police swarmed the area putting up caution tape and blocking off a home where the shooting reportedly took place.

Residents spoke to Wilkie  Arthur, Magnetic Media Court Correspondent, at the scene lamenting the loss of the man whom they described as quiet and unproblematic.

Videos and photos captured at the scene exposed the police armored vehicle arriving at the murder scene, significant police presence and medical emergency personnel.

The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) says it got calls about gunshots at 4:06 pm Wednesday; when police rushed to the destination along Fisheries Road, Five Cays they found the body of the young man.

Head of  Crime, Safeguarding, Public Protection and Intelligence Superintendent Dean Holden, said, “The victim has been identified, but his name is being withheld whilst all family members are traced and informed.”

We learned that the man is a long time employee of Graceway Supermarkets.  A 37-year old working in the food service department of the company.  He is also the brother of Linco Lightbourne, who was gunned down mere weeks ago, on April 20 in the Bight.

We are also told, the man is a father of two.

Garfield Ekon

Staff Writer

The Bahamian Government, through the Electricity Bill 2024 and Natural Gas Bill 2024, is moving to create more equity in its energy sector, to end a system where households pay more than large businesses.

Speaking during a debate on the Bill, at the House of Assembly, on May 1, Energy and Transport Minister, JoBeth Coleby-Davis said the Bahamas Power and Light (BPL’s) tariff rates have been in place since 2010, and persons she described as the “least able to pay” are being burdened.

She said a study of the rates is being done to establish effective prices and classifications, noting that the island has grown since the current tariff came into effect. “With this growth comes an increase in demand, and at all times, BPL must find means and ways to provide access to electricity, with annual forecasted demand growth at a steady three to five per cent annually,” the Minister said.

Stressing that “there is an urgent need for a tariff review and adjustments,” she said it will   ensure that “we are fairly distributing rates, that they are more flat and equitable,” and the existing BPL rates will be maintained for the next three years while the review is ongoing.

 The Minister told the House that if BPL seeks to modify its rates before the end of the three years, it must convince the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA), before the change.

Minister Coleby- Davis pointed out that a section of the Electricity Bill that allowed the BPL and other electricity providers to charge different tariffs and prices to different groups of customers for a transition period of three years without approval from URCA, has been amended.

She said it is to “ensure that URCA’s continued role in approving tariff changes under section 38(8) remains steadfast and unaltered. Some have said that URCA is being cut out as regulator, particularly regarding the approval of tariffs. This is not the case,” the Minister said. 

The Natural Gas Bill will among other things, expand URCA’s oversight to include the natural gas sector, and Minister Coleby- Davis said the scope of regulation regarding fuel charges was unclear, leading to ambiguities in oversight, so the  Bill  aims to eliminate the uncertainties by explicitly stating that “URCA regulates all rates and scales of charges for all licensees,” and the Government reform of the energy sector, is a firm commitment to fair play.

“This is particularly relevant as liquified natural gas (LNG) is likely to become a significant fuel source for electricity generation, and URCA’s oversight in this area could lead to more efficient and potentially lower-cost electricity production, benefiting the entire energy sector,” the Minister said.