Narcotics charges against SWAT officers to proceed – DPP

The Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has advised that narcotics charges brought against two Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) officers should proceed, the court heard on Friday, marking a key development in a case that has been under legal scrutiny since January.
Lance Corporals Kevin Thompson and Dwayne Perry appeared before Magistrate Annette Singh at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, where the prosecution disclosed that it had received the long-awaited legal advice from the DPP recommending that the matter move forward.

The announcement came in response to concerns raised by defence attorney Dominick Bess, who reminded the court that the matter had been previously adjourned specifically to await guidance from the DPP’s Chambers.
With the DPP’s opinion now rendered, the case is expected to resume substantively at the next hearing which is set for July 11.
Thompson and Perry were first charged in February, following their arrest on January 14, in connection with the alleged possession of 748.4 grams of suspected cannabis.
According to police reports, the officers were intercepted in a Toyota Axio at the intersection of Camp and New Market Streets, Georgetown. A search of the vehicle reportedly led to the discovery of a black travelling bag containing leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be cannabis, as well as plastic wraps, a digital scale, and a bag sealer.
The car in question was registered to Diana Persaud of North Road, Lacytown, but had been rented from Elite Auto Rentals by businesswoman Stacy Hodge, who is the reputed wife of Thompson.
Hodge told investigators that she had last used the vehicle on January 10 and subsequently handed the keys to Thompson for personal use. Both officers were detained and placed under close arrest as the investigation progressed.
At their initial court appearance on February 8 before acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty, the defence had strongly contested the legitimacy of the charges.
Attorney Dexter Todd, representing Thompson, argued that the alleged substance had not been tested to confirm it was cannabis, and suggested that his client was being targeted by a senior officer due to personal animosity.
Bess, representing Perry, asserted that his client was merely a passenger who had only just entered the vehicle before it was stopped, and had no connection to the black bag.
The prosecution acknowledged that testing had not yet been completed and requested additional time. Given the lack of conclusive evidence at that stage, both officers were granted bail in the sum of $200,000 each. The matter was adjourned to February 28 to allow time for testing and for the DPP’s advice.
With the DPP now recommending that the case continue, the officers are expected to face full prosecution on the narcotics charges.