A team of police and Immigration Officers will be at the Piarco International Airport to receive Nishal Sankat as soon as he arrives from the United States tomorrow morning.
This was this morning confirmed by Minister of National Security Stuart Young.
Young said he was contacted by US authorities yesterday and informed that Sankat is to be deported back to T&T tomorrow.
“I wish to state that all arms of our law enforcement that deal with returning deportees have been notified and are prepared to receive Mr Sankat in the usual course of a returning national who has been deported,” Young said.
“The Ministry of National Security is in contact with US authorities to obtain as much information pertaining to Mr Sankat as possible.”
Sankat was jailed after being charged with trying to steal a plane at the Melbourne Airport in Florida two weeks ago. The Orlando Melbourne Airport was placed on lock¬down when Sankat reportedly boarded an American Airlines plane and tried to attempt a take-off. Two employees on duty reportedly thwarted Sankat’s attempt before calling security.
According to a report on US TV station Fox 35 News, Sankat took a plea deal which allows him to leave prison but he will be immediately reported.
The report said he's being allowed to return to T&T after pleading guilty to burglary as part of a deal made after the FBI and police determined Sankat acted alone and suffered from depression and mental health issues.
When asked if this was enough of a punishment, his attorney told Fox 35 News, “I think that the plea agreement was an appropriate plea agreement considering the circumstances.”
There are other con¬se¬quences, however, as Sankat is losing his pilot’s license and visa. His name will also be added to the US No-Fly list as he’s now a convicted felon will never be allowed back in the US.
The Florida Today newspaper is also reporting that the 22-year-old part-time Florida Tech student, who was studying aviation management, must also pay US$909 to cover the cost of the Melbourne Airport Police Department investigation.