News
Man freed after 19-months in Prison; DPP cites Incomplete and Lacking Police Investigation
Wilkie Arthur
Freelance Court Reporter
#TurksandCaicos, December 15, 2023 – ÀLEXANDER JOSEPH aka Huge, was charged along with another person for a firearm and ammunition found by police on Saturday 21st, May 2022; TCI Police alleged the illegal weapon was discovered after being thrown from a vehicle they had signaled to stop.
Both men were arrested and remanded to His Majesty’s Prison (HMP), with Alexander Joseph’s co-accused being granted bail in about two days of his remand and later case against him was dismissed. Joseph’s bail was refused, and he remained in prison until Monday 11th December, 2023 when his matter was listed for Pretrial Review/Readiness (PTR) Hearing.
The Prosecution, after careful review of the file and observing issues surrounding the police investigation, realized
He was represented by Mr. Oliver Smith, KC, who thanked the office of the DPP for operating as proper “ministers of justice” in this case.
In May of last year, the former Commissioner of Police in a police report on the matter had said, “Two males are currently in Police custody after being arrested for Carrying Firearm and Ammunition.”
On Saturday May 21 2022 at about 8:30 pm, while on mobile patrol in the Five Cays area, RTCIPF Officers attempted to conduct a stop and search on a small silver vehicle. The driver refused to comply with instructions given by the Officers and carried on driving.
The Officers then observed the driver of the vehicle throwing something from the window. Once the vehicle came to a stop, a search was conducted in the area where the vehicle stopped, during which, a black and silver firearm with a loaded magazine was reportedly recovered.
Both males were arrested for Carrying Firearm and Ammunition.
The now former Commissioner, Trevor Botting said at the time, “Through the diligence and professionalism of my Officers, another firearm, and a quantity of ammunition, are off the streets of the Turks and Caicos Islands and two men have been arrested. The RTCIPF will continue our targeted operations to remove guns from the streets and arrest those who continue to carry a firearm.”
UPDATED: December 16, 2023