The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) has concluded its investigation into the MV Ocean Pelican’s Boxing Day event and the file has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for further instructions on whether or not charges are to be laid.
Police confirmed that the file was sent yesterday.
Guardian Media was told that DCP Wendell Williams and his investigative team were initially at the DPP’s office on January 4 and since then the investigation continued as there was still work to be done.
Williams said earlier this week that the interview process was not yet over.
At the centre of the investigation is businessman and party promoter Adrian Scoon.
Scoon is the son of Paula Gopee-Scoon, Minister of Trade and Industry.
On January 3, the United National Congress (UNC) had called on the TTPS to include four senior Cabinet members in the probe, and for their cellular phones to be seized.
When Guardian Media asked if any Government Minister was involved in the investigation, Williams said he had no comment.
On Boxing Day, December 26 2021, police officers detained 100 people on board the MV Ocean Pelican in Chaguaramas.
The TTPS said they all were detained, processed, and released. The Police Service said at that time that consultations were held with the DPP and investigations began to ascertain if there were any breaches of the Public Health Regulations.
Section 4(1) (b) of the regulations prohibits the operation of a party boat.
However, Scoon reportedly told the TTPS that it was in fact a floating restaurant.
Restaurants are allowed to operate as Safe Zones under section 8(1) (a) under the regulations.