THA Secretary cries foul after cops raid home

Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Secretary in the Division of Infrastructure, Quarries and Urban Development Trevor James has vowed to seek legal action and also take his fight to the polls in the upcoming general election, after the police executed a search warrant at his home.

On Thursday, around 6 pm, police and Licensing officers arrived at James’ home with a search warrant for his electronic devices and to inspect his van. This was based on an application made by Cpl Makeal Seechan, of the Intelligence and Investigations Unit.

The High Court approved the warrant under Section 5 of the Administration of Justice (Indictable Proceedings) Act 2011. High Court Master Sookraj-Goswami authorised the warrant on September 4.

The warrant allowed officers to search James’ residence at the NHA Development, Signal Hill, and any related premises.

The warrant also allowed officers to retrieve phones, computers and other devices that might contain communications, videos, images and GPS data linked to an ongoing investigation into allegations of misbehaviour in public office levelled against James.

Police believe the devices may hold key evidence.

Police are expected to examine the devices for further evidence.

This follows a similar case in 2023, when police searched the homes of THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine, deputy Chief Secretary Faith B Yisrael and a former THA official. That investigation involved a leaked voice recording where two THA Executive Council members were heard allegedly discussing using public funds for political propaganda.

In an immediate response to the warrant, James took to social media saying he would not be intimidated. Just before midnight, he shared a picture of the warrant with the caption, “Continued executive persecution. No fear. No bowing. No turning back. Stand firm Tobago. Join me live at 5 pm Friday (yesterday).”

At a media conference at the Shaw Park Cultural Complex yesterday afternoon, James mentioned his ongoing disputes with Licensing officers. “For some Master of the High Court to believe that somehow I am able to instruct Licensing officers is at best preposterous.”

He added, “There is a need to change the construct between Tobago and Trinidad because clearly, those who run the Government now, they have no regard for the authority of the Fifth Schedule.”

James argued that the warrant suggests authorities believe he illegally acquired a certification sticker and might have evidence on his phone to support that claim.

He dismissed this as false, saying, “This is an attempt to get into my personal life, to seize my personal devices, and embarrass me … to suggest officers from Trinidad can do whatever they want to the Secretary responsible for the management of Licensing in Tobago.”

He also hinted at political motives behind the search and questioned why officers acted aggressively toward him but showed leniency in other recent scandals involving government officials.

He noted that despite a report of a threat to his life, the police have yet to act on it.

Transport Commissioner Clive Clarke could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Meanwhile, addressing the matter at a National Security media briefing in Port-of-Spain yesterday, Deputy Commissioner of Police Suzette Martin said the investigation was still in its early stages and could not provide further details.

Also at the briefing, Commissioner of Police Erla Harewood-Christopher said she did not know of any instance of political victimisation using her officers against James.

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