Finance Minister Dave Tancoo says alcohol seized by the Customs and Excise Division was disposed of to the Office of the Prime Minister under the former People's National Movement (PNM) administration "nine times in the PNM's nine and a half years."
Tancoo further alleged that some PNM officials also received alcohol via the process.
He made the claims in concluding last night's House of Representatives debate on increased excise duties on alcohol and tobacco imported from the region.
He faced protests from PNM MPs, including Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, Brian Manning, Keith Scotland and others.
But Tancoo said he had facts. He cited a ministry document titled, "Disposal of seizures - alcoholic beverages (August 2015-September 2025)."
He said finance ministers are required to sign off on these documents.
"When we have seizures of alcoholic beverages, we have agencies, entities and persons who'd apply, 'can you give us some of what you have seized for our event'. The Ministers of Finance sign that off," Tancoo added.
"When I became Finance Minister, these things were presented to me. I have a list and some of these things are very intriguing."
Tancoo alleged that on November 26, 2015, a former Arima MP obtained one case of vodka, one case of rum, three cases of brandy and one case of whiskey.
Saying he could go on and on, Tancoo said, "There's one issue here I want to summarise: the Prime Minister's Office - nine times in nine and a half years!"
Tancoo listed the following:
* December 1, 2016, end-of-the-year party - six bottles of whiskey, six bottles of rum, six bottles of brandy, six bottles of vodka."
* December 28, 2016 - six bottles of Johnny Walker Black, five bottles of Bailey's, four bottles of Hennessy, four bottles of Black Label rum, two bottles of White Oak rum, six bottles of Absolut vodka, one case of red wine, one case of white wine.
* July 7, 2017, Office of the Prime Minister - 10 bottles of White Oak, 10 bottles of Black Label rum, 10 bottles of brandy, 10 bottles of vodka, 10 bottles of brandy again.
* December 14, 2019, OPM - five bottles of whiskey, five bottles of brandy, five bottles of vodka, five bottles of rum.
* November 2020 - six bottles of Scotch, three bottles of red rum, three bottles of white rum, five bottles of Bailey's, six bottles of wine, four bottles of Hennessy, three bottles of Port.
Tancoo said there was much more.
"Nine times in nine and half years! This is for the disposal of seizures to the Office of the Prime Minister ... this ran all the way down to 2024," he said.
He then added, "Oh yes! April 17, 2025 - Office of the Prime Minister retirement function - Four bottles of Malibu coconut rum, four bottles of Campari, four bottles of Johnny Walker, four bottles of Absolut vodka, four bottles of Diamond Reserve rum, four bottles of Blanco assorted wines, two bottles of (rum)..."
Tancoo stressed, "This was from disposal of items that were seized and used nine times in nine and a half years."
While that was from the Finance Ministry, Tancoo said he had another issue involving minister/MPs under the PNM.
Reading from documents, he claimed a former minister received two bottles of 1919 (Angostura rum).
Tancoo alleged the PoS mayor also received six bottles of 1824 (rum), six bottles of Angostura 7 (year old) rum, six bottles of Black Label, 24 bottles of White Oak, 12 bottles of Tito vodka, six bottles of Merlot, six bottles of Sauvignon Blanc and five hampers in 2024.
He alleged the PoS South MP "benefitted from this largesse."
But PNM PoS South MP Keith Scotland told Tancoo to withdraw that, as Scotland stressed he was "not in that."
Also, Tancoo cited PNM's 2024 September Affair Gala Fund Raiser receiving 70 bottles of champagne, 40 bottles of Bollinger champagne, 30 bottles L'Hoste Demi sec and two premium hampers.
"(From)...Angostura..." Tancoo added.
He said the "abuse" of public access and taxpayers "has come to an end!"
Contacted last evening, PNM officials said the use of seized alcohol had been a normal course for decades and the OPM would have likely used this methodology to save money for its official functions, as it reduces the cost of alcohol. Such matters are normally handled by the public servants, they added.
