Murder toll reaches 467 with Malabar shooting

A 31-year-old man was shot dead yesterday at his home on Mt Zion Road, Malabar, Arima.  Oba Lee, singer, died on the spot after being shot several times about the body.  Two home made shotguns were found near Lee’s body, police said.  His death pushed the murder toll for the year to 467.  A report said Lee and relatives were at home around 3 am when someone called him out of the house.  Relatives then heard several loud explosions. On checking they found Lee on the ground with gunshot wounds. His attackers fled the scene on foot. Relatives immediately summoned the police.

The body was viewed by the district medical officer who ordered its removal to the Forensic Science Centre for an autopsy. They claimed Lee had been “involved with criminals.”  They said they had no motive for his death.  Homicide officers were up to late yesterday continuing investigations.

Benjai  injured in vehicular accident
 
Entertainer Rodney “Benjai” Le Blanc was injured in a vehicular accident yesterday while driving along the Churchill-Roosevelt Highway in Maloney.  Le Blanc was driving around 7.30 am when his vehicle was struck from behind, police said.  He suffered neck injuries and was taken to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Centre for medical attention. He was treated and discharged. Police said they were told that Le Blanc’s car was struck by a car which ran the traffic lights. 

Investigators were up to late yesterday taking statements from motorists and eyewitnesses.  Maloney police are continuing investigations.  Attempts to contact the singer proved futile. Meanwhile, in an attempt to crack down on negligent driving and crime, the police conducted several road blocks in different areas across the country.  Over the past three days eight people have been killed in vehicular accidents.

Woman charged with  trafficking cocaine

A 28-year-old woman of Laventille will appear before an Arima magistrate today charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.  Police said they seized four kilogrammes of cocaine with a street value of $1.5 million.  Officers of the Organised Crime, Narcotics and Firearms Bureau searched her luggage at the Piarco International Airport and found the cocaine hidden in a car battery.  Police said the unemployed woman was preparing to board British Airways Flight 2158 destined for Gatwick Airport in the United Kingdom.

Drug accused in court today

A Laventille man will appear today before an Arima magistrate charged with possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking. Police said they seized $10 million worth of marijuana on Friday during a police exercise in Arima. Officers said 60 crocus bags of marijuana weighing one ton were seized from a panel van on the O’Meara Road in Arima.  Police said the driver was acting suspiciously and they stopped and searched the vehicle.  The bags were discovered and the driver was arrested. Cpl Harewood of the Tunapuna CID laid the charges.

CBTT: Put country before self

 Citizens for a Better Trinidad and Tobago Chairman (CBTT) Harrack Balramsingh has called on the authorities to put country before self and make a positive impact on citizens.  Balramsingh made this call recently while delivering his Yuletide message at the group’s 18th annual Christmas service at Dumfries Road, La Romaine.  He said politicians must demonstrate a Christ-like attitude towards citizens and provide basic necessities.  “Christmas after Christmas many people have been crying out for better roads, water supply and basic necessities but their pleas continue to fall on deaf ears,” Balramsingh said.  He said Christmas had been abused by singers who sang immoral songs. “Christ should be respected and not brought into disrepute through words, songs and actions,” he said.  Balramsingh said parents and adults need to be exemplars to their children and young people.