An investigation is said to be ongoing into the posting of a video on social media by a woman, who police officers have located and were able to interview and caution about her actions.
According to an official media release issued by the T&T Police Service on Tuesday, at about 5.15 pm on Monday a party of officers from the Toco Police Station, Sangre Grande CID, and Eastern Division Task Force, led by Sgt Callender and Cpl Guy, went to the home of the woman at Santa Margarita Circular, St Augustine, where Sgt Callender executed a search warrant at the said address for cell phones, tablets, computers and other electronic devices relative to a report under investigation.
It is alleged that during the period Friday, September 11 and Saturday, September 12, the woman was at a beach for recreational purposes contrary to Section 4 (1)(a) the Public Health 2019 Novel Coronavirus Regulations, 2020.
Sgt Callender told the woman of the report under investigation and cautioned her, informed her of her rights to consult with a legal advisor or have someone of her choice present, to which she remained silent.
A search was carried out on the premises and one iPhone and one HP laptop were seized. Present at the address was the woman’s 35-year-old husband.
The woman was interviewed following which the police officers left the premises.
Guardian Media understands that the woman has sought legal advice and will remain mum on the issue.
According to police sources, the police is empowered to seize people’s personal electronic items if they are in breach of the public health regulations on any social media platform, “the police can search your devices for selfies - photos and videos that were captured to see when and where they went to a public place such as a beach, river, water park etc and would have captured such images or videos.”
“Charges can be then laid as police would have seized evidential proof of breach but the police must have warrants to support searches and seizures…when this is done everything must be compiled into the investigations file and send to the Director of Public Prosecutions for further instructions as to whether or not charges will be laid,” the police source said.
Sgt Callender is continuing inquiries.