Veronica Young and her three daughters, who were reported missing on Saturday, have been found by the police and they are safe.

Young, 32, of Mohess Road, Penal, contacted the police saying she was staying in a house at South Trinidad and she did not want to be found.

The three children have been staying with her.

Investigators said they were expected to meet with her to take a statement.

However, in an interview yesterday, Young’s common-law husband, Marcus Sookoo, said he was puzzled about why Young would leave with his children.

He said, “I do not believe the police. They saying that Veronica doesn’t want to have any contact with me and they will not give information about where she is. She took my children and I was in no way abusive to her. Every week I home and she still used to go to San Fernando to beg,” Sookoo said.

Sookoo admitted he stopped using illegal drugs about “three months ago.”

Asked whether his family was being abused, Sookoo said, “No. I don’t want my children to be abused. I want to see my children.

I want to speak to Veronica.”

Villagers had joined Sookoo in searching for his family but abandoned their search after hearing that she was found.

During an interview yesterday, director of the Penal/Debe Community Organisation Ren Gopiesingh said everyone was worried after they heard the family disappeared.

He said Young never missed an opportunity to get free clothes, shoes and bags from the organisation during their clothing distribution drive. The drive was held last Saturday on the same day that the family disappeared.

Works Minister Rohan Sinanan says a contractor has already been paid to restart and complete work on the Cedros Bridge and the floodgates before the rainy season but councillor for Cedros Shankar Teelucksingh says "not one black cent" was paid by government. 

As such the project which is 90 per cent completed remains at a standstill.

During an interview with Sinanan during a de-silting exercise in Penal this week, Sinanan was asked when the $4.5 million owed to the contractor will be paid and when the Cedros Bridge will be completed.

He responded, "We are working with the contractor. There was a  delay in his payments. My information is that the contractor has gotten some releases and he will complete the job shortly."

However, Teelucksingh urged Sinanan to ensure that the project is finished by next month else dozens of residents will be trapped by floods.

"Since January there, no work on the bridge and we are calling on the Minister to open the bridge. The work had stopped in 2015 and a new contractor was appointed. The work started and then stopped again. How long must people suffer?" Teelucksingh said.

Saying the bridge and flood gates must be completed before the onslaught of the rains, Teelucksingh said if this project was not completed, dozens of residents will experience extensive flooding like what occurred last year.

He said because Cedros and Icacos are under sea level, the sea encroaches into the land causing days of flooding.

Last year residents could not get into their homes and two pensioners were marooned. A boat had to be used to get them out to seek medical treatment.

Saying the bridge and floodgate was also impacting on national security, Teelucksingh said response time to crimes were delayed because of the detour to get to the other side of the bridge.

"The bridge has to extend on both end with a baffle wall to stop the main flow of sea water coming inland. The last time the flood took days to leave. The main drain needs to be de-silted via a gulley sucker, a piece of equipment similar to a vacuum truck. That drain has not been cleaned since 2015 so if this project is held up, there will be disaster in Cedros when the rains come," Teelucksingh added.

Sinanan in an interview assured that the project will be completed soon. He said he expected six bridges to be handed over to government within the next six week, one of which is Cedros.

He noted that a $35 million de-silting exercise was in progress and engineers from the four Drainage departments had already assessed the most important areas.

​​​​​​​"We are targeting all projects and looking at critical areas first. We have 298 projects to complete which are evenly spread across Trinidad. We are looking at replacing and repairing pumps and flood gates. All projects will be started and we will have a significant amount completed before the rainy season," Sinanan said.

Amidst assertions by Finance Minister Colm Imbert that economic instability is over, the Greater Tunapuna Chamber of Commerce believes the worst is yet to come because of the spiralling crime rate and foreign exchange shortfalls.

In a statement, President Surindra Maharaj said Imbert failed to address three of the major issues plaguing the business community and the society when he presented the mid-year budget review in Parliament on Thursday.

These include the "out of control crime situation, ease of doing business, locally, regionally and internationally and the lack of foreign exchange."

Speaking about the crime spike, Maharaj said, "Despite an allocation of over $200 million dollars to various Ministries, none was set aside for the National Security Ministry. In fact, the Finance Minister made no mention of the crime situation and the domino effect it continues to have on the citizenry of this nation, and how it plagues overall economic growth.:

He said it is not easy doing business.

"The backbone of any country’s economy remains the enterprises that fuel spending. The Finance Minister boasted of a $1.3 billion improvement in net collections of corporate tax. While the GTCIC applauds improvements to the present tax collection system, we also query the lack of incentives for small entrepreneurs and businesses to assist in their daily operations," Maharaj added.

He also said Imbert spoke for almost an hour "yet he failed to mention the shortage of US currency within the financial institutions across the country."

"The GTCIC is calling on Government to address the forex issue with all due haste. In addition to this, we are also proposing a sanctioned initiative allocating special tax deductions for manufacturers who earn this country valuable foreign exchange," Maharaj said.

He also questioned the veracity of the statistics and figures given by Imbert.

"The reality on the ground level for the GTCIC, the national business community and the citizens of our country remains dark, made bleaker by the Finance Minister’s inflated optimism," Maharaj added. 

He also said while the GTCIC wanted to share in the Finance Minister’s optimism, "the fact remains this country’s economic stability is solely based on growth in the energy sector."

" That growth, again, is purely minimal, at 2.2 percent in 2019 and 2.5 in 2020," Maharaj noted. He said the Chamber had noted government's actions to limit public expenditure,but added, " By the end of March 2018 the expected figure stood at $21.65 billion, 15 percent lower than initially projected. Overall projected deficit for 2018 is $4.2 billion, over $500 million lower than budgeted."

He also said government on waivers of the property tax and its retroactive application was a positive step.

The death of young footballer Noah Simmons who was killed on his birthday on the steps of a house at the Marabella Trainline, has spurred a heart-wrenching appeal from independent anonymous crime-fighting agency, Crimestoppers.

In an open letter to innocent, law-abiding citizens, Crimestoppers appealed to the public to call the agency at 800-TIPS to report the people who own illegal firearms in their communities. The group also asked for information about the whereabouts of wanted criminals, hideouts of kidnappers and robbers as well as the identities and addresses of their beneficiaries.

Saying the letter was necessary, Crimestoppers said those disturbed by the death of Simmons and others like him, have the opportunity of reporting their tips anonymously.

"Just two days ago we looked at, and read the horror story of a young talented Trinbagonian who was killed apparently for simply being a teenager. The end of the story resembles many others in our beautiful country but is more tragic for a greater reason. If the newspaper reports are correct, residents of this particular community often complained about persons walking with firearms and firing shots “all hours of the day and night like is some kind of game," Crimestoppers said.

The group wrote, "Did anyone and more specifically any adult in that community consider that possession of a firearm in this country without a firearm user’s license is still a criminal offense? Did anyone think that the right thing to do was to report these misguided persons to law enforcement? Finally, did anyone think that the same unreported firearm would have been responsible for the death of one of their own talented sons? We believe that someone did think about the questions raised."

However, Crimestoppers said it was possible that people in the community were probably apathetic,  and not sufficiently concerned to care. "We also believe that such a person may have been afraid. We also believe that such a person is now crying for the community’s son and expressing frustrations of a system gone totally awry. When will you, the innocent, law-abiding citizen with information on criminal activity realise to reduce crime the police needs your information? If it doesn’t bother you, then we will all continue to shed tears for our citizens lying on our streets and their bloody photos being shared virally across our digital devices."

However, Crimestoppers said if the crime bothered citizens then they can find a way to discretely and safely report incidents. Crimestoppers said since 1999 Crime Stoppers Trinidad and Tobago has been safely provided this opportunity through its anonymous hotline.

Simmons, a student of Shiva Boys College was gunned down on Tuesday on the day he celebrated his 16th birthday. The suspect of Ste Madeleine who is wanted for gun relates charges, remains at large.

Police yesterday discovered a Convenca 12 gauge shotgun in a fig patch at Foodcrop Road, Chatham bearing the markings "Hecho De Venezuela" which means Made in Venezuela. It is one of several guns, cocaine and marijuana discovered in recent weeks bearing the marking of Venezuelan cartels.

In an interview yesterday, a source at the Organised Crime and Narcotics Unit said the influx of Venezuelans into T&T have contributed to a rampant increase of illegal items in T&T.

Faced with severe food and medicinal shortages, Venezuelans are continuing to trade drugs, guns, ammunition and wildlife for food, the official added. Up to December last year, it was estimated that over 40,000 Venezuelans were living in T&T illegally and an average of 150 to 200 were coming in by boat legally through the ports of Cedros and Kings Wharf, San Fernando.

However, because of a shortage of manpower, police have been unable to monitor the coastlines adequately causing the contraband trade to flourish.

"Right now, pampers and baby milk are the hottest commodities fetching the highest price," the source said adding that although the southern region has several known smuggling spots where active surveillance is paid, the Unit is so severely understaffed that the fight to catch smugglers is an uphill battle. 

He also said that the radar system which keeps 24-hour surveillance on the coast is so outdated that it is difficult to pinpoint the presence of smugglers.

"The radar is 24 hours operation. Unless you are not trained about accuracy of the radar all you will see a screen.  You cannot identify the type of vessel that comes in. There are other sophisticated methods that the National Security Ministry knows about which can be utilized," the source said.

With regard to the manpower shortage, a former senior officer with the Customs and Excise department said the Cedros base is severely understaffed.

"We need manpower on the spot. Imagine an important station like Cedros doesn't have the capacity to deal with the influx of Venezuelans and Columbians. I cannot say if this is deliberate or not. It is suspicious. Why have the Cedros station so understaffed. Lots of money is spent on national security and the basic manpower constraints are not addressed," the official said.

He noted that apart from the Cedros region, illegal contraband comes through the Columbus Channel and also along the Gulf of Paria and in the northern regions of Las Cuevas where the waters are calm.

A resident of Cedros said yesterday that police have turned a blind eye to the contraband trade.

On Monday, residents saw a police corporal removing a load of illegal cargo from a blue Ford Ranger and a silver Lancer after it was abandoned at Hilltop Trace, Granville. The corporal is believed to have assisted in the escape of the smugglers who were being chased by another group of police.  

The incident has been swept under the carpet and a 21-year-old woman who was arrested during the shoot-out was released without any charges even though villagers could have pinpointed her as being in company with the escaped smugglers.

Another resident of Icacos said that fishing in the seas was so risky that Venezuelans would often seize their catch and engines, leaving them to drift at sea. Officials at the T&T Coast Guard said they are continuing to monitor all activities off shore by doing frequent patrols around the border.

National Security Minister Edmund Dillon recently said that his ministry is utilising its coastal surveillance system and aircraft to stop illegal immigration. He said the government has established contact with coastal villages in Venezuela to monitor movements back and forth, adding that all illegal immigrants will be sent back.

A video of prisoners feasting, chanting, cavorting and recording their activities comfortably on banned cellular phones at the Maximum Security Prison is now the subject of an investigation.

The video begins with a bareback man sitting on a bed, eyes downcast with earphones on. The narrator identifies someone in a white teeshirt as "the Sabbath teacher" before showing off a layout of about 20 bowls of food with rice, fish, plantain and cucumbers.

In the video, the narrator seems proud of the feast saying, "All soldiers... after the Saturday sabbath, rice and fish to feed all (of) you. I am sharing . Hail Selassie, Rasta living. We take a bathe. Its Kings of Kings." 

Someone is then seen dishing out the food. The prisoners then begin a rhythmic chant to the beat of bongo drums and the rattle of chac chacs as they dance around. The video ends with one man taking a
Rastafarian rag and placing it on top of the head of another man. A depiction of Bob Marley emblazoned with the word Legend was seen in the video. Other prisoners were seen in other cells looking on. 

The video, shared more than 22,000 times on Facebook, drew praise and condemnation from the public.

Deli Cadogan wrote, " BWDMA!!!! I guess jail ain’t so bad like people portrayed it to be then."

Kevin Marcano wrote, "With the exception of having a phone I don't see an issue. The video hasn't promoted no badness of gangsterism. Most the time family brings food when they visit so they're having a meal. Actually is kinda a pleasant change to see fellas not behaving like goons."

Damien Kissoondath wrote, " The food they eating is a nun issue what's the big issues is the phone and internet service that is the real problem."

But Pauline Cruickshank added, "Steupzz everyone have something negative to say. So you know no one in jail? You didn't know they have phones and don't get me started with the food. Some people have family who cook and bring them stuff and as u can see they are sharing. Me eh saying it right they having phones but they done have it. So what you gonna do bout it. The whole of Trinidad corrupted. Them in jail already the extra crime they doing is having a phone u think they gonna care?? Really???"

But a source at Prison said the Prison authorities were aware of the video and were doing investigations. Efforts to contact Prisons Commissioner Gerard Wilson and president of the Prisons Officers Association
Ceron Richards proved futile as Richards did not answer his cellular phone. Wilson's secretary said he was engaged in a meeting and could not be disturbed.
 

A decision to spend Mothers Day with her children turned out badly for Barrackpore mother Kunti Deopersad after a male relative allegedly beat her with a piece of wood.

Deopersad, 39, who moved out of her marital home at Oropouche South Trace, Barrackpore, after she admitted to faking her own kidnapping last March, returned on Mother's Day at her children's request.

She told police that her children begged her to spend the night so she spread a mattress on the ground and went to sleep.

Deopersad reported that around 8 pm, a male relative told her to get up from the floor and sleep on the bed but she refused.

An argument ensued following which the man allegedly grabbed a piece of wood and struck her twice.

Her hands were swollen after the attack. Deopersad then left the house and sought medical treatment at the Princes Town District health facility but it was only on Wednesday evening that she went to the Princes Town police to lodge a report.

The incident was recorded. Police said her hands had lacerations. The report was then forwarded to the Barrackpore police for further investigations.

Police said they plan to interview Deopersad's family and neighbours. They are also awaiting a medical report from the Princes Town Health facility.

Deopersad shot into the spotlight on March 20 after her husband Tilkee Gopaul, 60, reported her missing.

She came home a week later and gave a story of how she managed to escape from her captors using a hairpin to unlock the door.

Deopersad's account of the unusual kindness from her abductors, while she was locked in a room with another woman for a week, left investigators confused and a week later she confessed she had fabricated the story and was staying with another man.

She later apologised to her six daughters, her son and to the public.

She no longer lives in Barrackpore and some of her relatives have not been speaking to her since the incident.

With her grandchildren physically beaten and terrified of school, a Penal grandmother is now calling on the Ministry of Education to remove a teacher from a primary school in Penal for administering corporal punishment on pupils.

Mildred Farrell of Platanite Trace, Penal said her 9-year-old granddaughter was struck with a whip on her hands for leaving class without permission to use the toilet.

Her teacher was not in class at the time so there was no one to ask permission, Farrell said. 

When the student returned she was struck in front of the class. The incident happened about half an hour before school was dismissed and Farrell said when her granddaughter returned home, she was shaking and in tears. 

"She told me that she needed to use the toilet and sir was not there. He beat her and said she cannot use the toilet unless he says so. So he wanted her to pee in the classroom?" Farrell asked. 

She said two weeks before, her grandson was also whipped after his book fell off his hand. 

"The teacher accused him of littering.

These people have their own personal problems and they taking it out on the children," Farrell said.

Even though the children went to school yesterday, Farrel said they were traumatized. She said the teacher worked as a special reserved policeman and it appeared as if he was taking out his frustration on the children.

"I want the Ministry of Education to investigate this matter. It is not the first time he did this," Farrell alleged.

She said she went to the school yesterday but was told the principal was not in.

"I spoke to the principal on the phone and she cut me off. When I called back the vice principal said they will investigate and call me back," Farrell said.

She also said last year her granddaughter was told she had to stay back after school to do work and she missed her bus.

"I told them in no uncertain terms that it was unsafe for my granddaughter to walk home if she misses the bus. I don't care what school work she miss. When school is over let her get on the bus because I lived abroad and I know how children can go missing. It is unsafe for a child to walk home," Farrel said.

Contacted yesterday, president of the T&T Unified Teachers Association Lynsley Doodhai said he was aware of the matter.

Saying corporal punishment was illegal, Doodhai said, "While we are not pronouncing on the innocence and guilt of anyone, we want the Ministry of Education to urgently conduct an investigation to determine the veracity of this incident. TTUTA will not condone the administering of corporal punishment to pupils."

Asked whether he had heard that the teacher was also an SRP, Doodhai said many teachers are members of the Police Service and would have applied for permission to engage in extra duty as an SRP.

He said the teacher will have to appear before a tribunal and if the allegations are true he could face disciplinary action.

A source at the Ministry said the matter will be investigated.

Marijuana has long been used to treat cancer cells and when Ms Patsy (not her real name) was diagnosed with inoperable cervical cancer she decided to take some advice and treat the cancer with marijuana.

After buying a few ounces of the herb, Patsy soaked the marijuana buds in alcohol and boiled it for 20 minutes in a rice cooker. Daily doses, she believes caused her cancer to go into remission.

In an interview yesterday a senior pharmacologist said because marijuana is still illegal, many people who use the herb for medicinal purposes successfully do so secretly without advertising it.

She said research has shown that marijuana extracts kills cancer cells. 

"It can also be used to treat a range of illnesses including Parkingson disease, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, epilepsy, glaucoma, HIV, chronic pain and Alzheimer's disease but there is a stigma to it," the source said, adding that a statement by Health Minister Dr Terrence Deyalsingh not to endorse medicinal marijuana was "close-minded."

"Marijuana could help so much people. Apart from stemming the growth of tumours, it can also fight pain-causing inflammation."

Pharmacist at Valini's Drugmart Sarah Balkaran said she supported a call by Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar to have a referendum on the legalization of medicinal marijuana.

"People who suffer with chronic ailments can use it. Lots of research has been done about it and it is something that we could explore," Balkaran said.

However, she said there was a risk of marijuana abuse if it is legalized.

"I am concerned that doctors will be able to prescribe it to anyone and people could easily misuse it for other reasons apart from medicinal purposes," Balkaran added.

Nazma Muller who has been petitioning for the legalization of marijuana through her group T&T advocacy group the Caribbean Collective for Justice (CCJ) said a referendum made no sense as the laws existed allowing the Minister to issue licenses for the sale and distribution of cannabis.

"The Minister says he is not endorsing it. Has he done his research? Just Google cannabis and you will find articles on the therapeutic benefits. The Cannabis regulates all kinds of disease. Dr. Raphael Mechoulam is the world's foremost cannabis researcher and he says there is a strain of cannabis that can cure any disease known to mankind. The World Health Organisation has looked to change the categorization of cannabis. Research is going on right now at the UWI about the health benefits of cannabis," Muller said.

She said that there was a reluctance to legalize marijuana because multinational corporations which rake in billions on man-made drugs will lose if medicinal marijuana was legalized.

Deyalsingh said under the Dangerous Drugs Act or Food and Drug Act, anybody can make any application to bring in any drug. It is then adjudicated upon by the Drug Advisory Committee, who then advises the Minister of Health.

What the law says

Under Section 4 of the Dangerous Drugs Act the Health Minister may, subject to regulations made under Section 57, "issue licenses for the  import, export, diversion, sale, manufacture, production or distribution, at a stated place, of any dangerous drug" or "issue licenses for the cultivation, gathering or production, at a stated place, of opium poppy, marijuana, or coca plant".

Under Section 57 (b) of the Act the Health Minister may make regulations “for the use, purchase, sale or possession of any dangerous drugs for medicinal or scientific purposes”.

More on marijuana

Marijuana has over 100 cannabinoids. Currently, the two main cannabinoids from the marijuana plant that are of medical interest which are marijuana chemical cannabidiol (CBD) and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), marijuana’s main mind-altering ingredient that makes people "high."

Spanish microbiologist Dr Christine Sanchez discovered the antitumor effects of marijuana. She wrote, "Cannabidiol, or CBD, which does not have a psychoactive effect, has long been known as a potent anti-cancer agent because of its ability to interfere with cellular communication in tumors as well as in its ability to instigate apoptosis (programmed cancer cell death).

Studies have also been conducted on the combined effect of CBD and THC on lung, prostate, colon, pancreatic, liver, bladder, cervical, blood-based, brain, and other forms of cancer. These studies lend increasing evidence to the fact that cannabinoids are not only antioxidant phytonutrients but powerful “herbal chemo” agents."

With her grandchildren now terrified of school after alleged beatings at the hands of a teacher, a south grandmother is now calling on the Ministry of Education to remove him from the primary school for allegedly administering corporal punishment on pupils.

The woman said her granddaughter, aged nine, was struck with a whip on her hands for leaving class without permission to use the toilet on Wednesday. But the teacher was not in class at the time so there was no one to ask permission, the woman said.

When the student returned she was beaten in front of the class. The incident happened about half an hour before school was dismissed and the woman claimed when her granddaughter returned home she was shaking and in tears.

“She told me that she needed to use the toilet and sir was not there. He beat her and said she cannot use the toilet unless he says so. So he wanted her to pee in the classroom?” the woman asked.

She claimed two weeks before that, her grandson was also whipped after his book fell from his hand.

“The teacher accused him of littering. These people have their own personal problems and they taking it out on the children,” the woman said.

Although the children went to school yesterday, the woman said they were still traumatised. She said the teacher also had a part-time job in national security and it appeared as if he was taking out his frustration on the children.

“I want the Ministry of Education to investigate this matter. It is not the first time he did this,” the woman alleged.

She said she went to the school yesterday but was told the principal was not in.

“I spoke to the principal on the phone and she cut me off. When I called back the vice principal said they will investigate and call me back,” she said.

She also said last year her granddaughter was told she had to stay back after school to do work and she missed her bus. She said this was done although she had told school officials her granddaughter cannot miss the bus, as there was a concern for her safety otherwise.

“I told them in no uncertain terms that it was unsafe for my granddaughter to walk home if she misses the bus. I don’t care what school work she miss. When school is over let her get on the bus because I lived abroad and I know how children can go missing. It is unsafe for a child to walk home,” the woman said.

Contacted yesterday, T&T Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA) president Lynsley Doodhai said he was aware of the matter.

Saying corporal punishment in schools was illegal, Doodhai said, “While we are not pronouncing on the innocence and guilt of anyone, we want the Ministry of Education to urgently conduct an investigation to determine the veracity of this incident. TTUTA will not condone the administering of corporal punishment to pupils.”

Asked whether he had heard the teacher was also working in national security, Doodhai said many teachers were in similar situations and would have applied for permission to engage in teaching. He said the teacher will have to appear before a tribunal and if the allegations are true he could face disciplinary action. A source at the Ministry of Education also said the matter will be investigated.

• Editor’s note: The name of the grandmother and child involved have been deliberately omitted to protect the identity of the children involved as they are minors.

Marijuana has long been used to treat cancer cells and when Ms Patsy (not her real name) was diagnosed with inoperable cervical cancer she decided to take some advice and treat the cancer with marijuana.

After buying a few ounces of the herb, Patsy soaked the marijuana buds in alcohol and boiled it for 20 minutes in a rice cooker. Daily doses, she believes, caused her cancer to go into remission.

In an interview yesterday, a senior pharmacologist said because marijuana is still illegal, many people who use the herb for medicinal purposes do so secretly without advertising its success. She said research has shown that marijuana extracts kills cancer cells.

“It can also be used to treat a range of illnesses including Parkinsons disease, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, epilepsy, glaucoma, HIV, chronic pain and Alzheimer’s disease but there is a stigma to it,” the source said, adding that a statement by Health Minister Dr Terrence Deyalsingh not to endorse medicinal marijuana was “close-minded.”

“Marijuana could help so much people. Apart from stemming the growth of tumours, it can also fight pain causing inflammation.”

Pharmacist at Valini’s Drugmart Sarah Balkaran said she supported a call by Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar to have a referendum on the legalisation of medicinal marijuana.

“People who suffer with chronic ailments can use it. Lots of research has been done about it and it is something that we could explore,” Balkaran said. However she said there was a risk of marijuana abuse if it is legalised.

“I am concerned that doctors will be able to prescribe it to anyone and people could easily misuse it for other reasons apart from medicinal purposes,” Balkaran added.

Nazma Muller, who has been petitioning for the legalisation of marijuana through her group T&T advocacy group the Caribbean Collective for Justice (CCJ), said a referendum made no sense as the laws existed allowing the Minister to issue licenses for the sale and distribution of cannabis.

“The minister says he is not endorsing it. Has he done his research? Just google cannabis and you will find articles on the therapeutic benefits. The cannabis regulates all kinds of disease. Dr Raphael Mechoulam is the world’s foremost cannabis researcher and he says there is a strain of cannabis that can cure any disease known to mankind. The World Health Organisation has looked to change the categorization of cannabis. Research is going on right now at the UWI about the health benefits of cannabis,” Muller said.

She said that there was a reluctance to legalise marijuana because multinational corporations which rake in billions on man-made drugs will lose if medicinal marijuana was legalised. Deyalsingh said Under the Dangerous Drugs Act or Food and Drug Act, anybody can make any application to bring in any drug. It is then adjudicated upon by the Drug Advisory Committee, who then advises the Minister of Health.

WHAT THE LAW SAYS

Under Section 4 of the Dangerous Drugs Act the Health Minister may, subject to regulations made under Section 57, “issue licenses for the import, export, diversion, sale, manufacture, production or distribution, at a stated place, of any dangerous drug” or “issue licences for the cultivation, gathering or production, at a stated place, of opium poppy, marijuana, or coca plant”.

Under Section 57 (b) of the Act the Health Minister may make regulations “for the use, purchase, sale or possession of any dangerous drugs for medicinal or scientific purposes.”

MORE ON MARIJUANA

Marijuana has over 100 cannabinoids. Currently, the two main cannabinoids from the marijuana plant that are of medical interest which are marijuana chemical cannabidiol (CBD) and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), marijuana’s main mind-altering ingredient that makes people “high.”

Spanish microbiologist Dr Christine Sanchez who explored the antitumor effects of marijuana wrote, “Cannabidiol, or CBD, which does not have a psychoactive effect, has long been known as a potent anti-cancer agent because of its ability to interfere with cellular communication in tumors as well as in its ability to instigate apoptosis (programmed cancer cell death). Studies have also been conducted on the combined effect of CBD and THC on lung, prostate, colon, pancreatic, liver, bladder, cervical, blood-based, brain, and other forms of cancer. These studies lend increasing evidence to the fact that cannabinoids are not only antioxidant phytonutrients but powerful “herbal chemo” agents.” See https://herb.co/marijuana/news/dr-christina-sanchez-cannabis-cancer.

Declaring zero tolerance on corporal punishment, Minister in the Ministry of Education Dr Lovell Francis is reminding all teachers in the nation's schools that it is illegal to physically punish students.

His comments came a day after a Penal grandmother complained that her grandchildren were struck by their teachers in separate instances for dropping a book on the floor and for going to the wash-room without permission.

In an interview, Francis said the Ministry's position was clear.

"The Ministry does not condone corporal punishment and teachers know that it is against the law to hit students. Francis, who spent most of his years in academic teaching said he never believed in administering corporal punishment. 

"There comes a time when the child becomes unconcerned about being hit. It does not work except to harm the child. There are other ways you can discipline a student. My experience is you empower the child and build a relationship with them. You motivate them to do what is right and if you are successful in empowering them, they will do what is right," Francis said. He added that rebellious children is not necessary a bad thing.

"Students should ask questions and challenge their teachers intellectually. It is how the teacher reacts to this challenge is what is important," Francis said.

He noted that he did not have any information about the incident at the Penal school but noted that the matter is now under investigation.

Francis also said that the Student Support Services will provide counselling to the pupils if needed.

Meanwhile, the grandmother said a schools supervisor contacted her yesterday and requested that she file an official report about the incident to the Ministry of Education on Monday. She said the official advised her against going to the principal for a meeting. The grandmother said she was relieved that the Ministry was investigating the complaint adding that it was not the first time that a teacher had beaten students.

She said the children were being physically disciplined for no good reason adding, "it is time that teachers realize hitting students is against the law."

On Wednesday, a nine-year-old girl told her grandmother that she needed to use the washroom and her teacher was not in class so she went because it was an emergency. When she returned the teacher struck her on the hand and said she was not to leave without his permission.

The grandmother said a year ago, the teacher forced the child to stay back after school causing her to miss the bus. The child was forced to walk home afterward. The grandmother accused the teacher of putting her child's life in danger by letting her walk home.

MORE ABOUT CORPORAL PUNISHMENT

In February of 2001, the then Education Minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar pioneered legislation which led to a ban on corporal punishment in schools. The National School Code of Conduct (2009) of the Ministry of Education states that corporal punishment should not be used. According to the United Global Initiative: “Corporal punishment of children breaches their fundamental human rights to respect for human dignity and physical integrity. Its legality in almost every state worldwide—in contrast to other forms of inter-personal violence—challenges the universal right to equal protection under the law.” 

Article 4 of the Children Act 2012 confirms the right of parents, teachers and other persons having lawful control of a child or young person under the age of 16 years to administer “reasonable punishment” but excludes corporal punishment from this only for persons other than parents or guardians. 

Declaring zero tolerance on corporal punishment, Minister in the Ministry of Education Dr Lovell Francis yesterday reminded all teachers in the nation’s schools that it is illegal to physically punish students.

His comments came a day after a Penal grandmother complained that her grandchildren were struck by their teachers in separate instances for dropping a book on the floor and for going to the washroom without permission.

In an interview with the T&T Guardian, Francis said the ministry’s position on corporal punishment was clear.

“The ministry does not condone corporal punishment and teachers know that it is against the law to hit students,” he said.

Francis, who spent most of his years in academic teaching, said he also never believed in administering corporal punishment.

“There comes a time when the child becomes unconcerned about being hit. It does not work except to harm the child. There are other ways you can discipline a student,” Francis said.

“My experience is you empower the child and build a relationship with them. You motivate them to do what is right and if you are successful in empowering them, they will do what is right.”

He added that rebellious children are not necessarily a bad thing.

“Students should ask questions and challenge their teachers intellectually. It is how the teacher reacts to this challenge is what is important,” Francis said.

He noted that he did not have any information about the incident at the Penal school but noted that the matter is now under investigation.

Francis also said the ministry’s Student Support Services will provide counselling to the pupils if needed.

Meanwhile, the children’s grandmother said yesterday that a schools supervisor contacted her yesterday and requested that she file an official report about the incident to the ministry on Monday. She said the official also advised her against going to the principal for a meeting.

The grandmother said she was relieved that the ministry was investigating the complaint, adding that it was not the first time that a teacher had beaten students. She said the children were being physically disciplined for no good reason adding, “it is time that teachers realise hitting students is against the law.”

On Wednesday, the woman’s nine-year-old granddaughter told studentsher that she needed to use the washroom and her teacher was not in class, so she went because it was an emergency. When she returned, however, the teacher struck her on the hand and said she was not to leave without his permission. The grandmother said a year ago the same teacher also forced the child to stay back after school, causing her to miss the bus and having to walk home afterwards. The grandmother accused the teacher of putting her child’s life in danger by letting her walk home.

The issue was also raised in Parliament yesterday, where Government Senate Leader Franklin Khan told UNC’s Wade Mark the incident was being investigated, “following which (probe), appropriate follow-up action will be taken if necessary.”

MORE ABOUT CORPORAL PUNISHMENT

In February 2001, the then Education Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar pioneered legislation which led to a ban on corporal punishment in schools.
The National School Code of Conduct (2009) of the Ministry of Education states that corporal punishment should not be used.
According to the United Global Initiative: “Corporal punishment of children breaches their fundamental human rights to respect for human dignity and physical integrity. Its legality in almost every state worldwide—in contrast to other forms of inter-personal violence—challenges the universal right to equal protection under the law.”
Article 4 of the Children Act 2012 also confirms the right of parents, teachers and other persons having lawful control of a child or young person under the age of 16 years to administer “reasonable punishment,” but excludes corporal punishment from this only for persons other than parents or guardians.

Shelly-Ann Anganoo is serving a sentence for killing a teacher outside of school when she was 18 years old, but yesterday she returned to school to urge pupils to choose peace instead of violence.

Anganoo was one of several speakers who participated in the Central Division’s Student Empowerment Caravan at the Couva West Secondary school.

Giving a heartfelt testimony, Anganoo recalled how she never listened to her mother and how she went into a life of crime because she was trying to fit in. “I was not smart enough to say no. I was skipping school, smoking marijuana and drinking alcohol. At the age of 18, I was sent to prison for murder. I could have been sentenced to hang,” she said.

Instead of the death sentence, Anganoo said she was given a second chance and she used her time in prison to write and pass eight CXC subjects and three A Levels.

Anganoo was sentenced to 20 years hard labour for the murder of school teacher Ralphy Ramcharan on March 25, 2003, at Barataria. She was not a pupil at the time and had met Ramcharan at a bar.

Also speaking at the function was Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy Monica Morse, who urged pupils to stop bullying.

“As a child my dad attempted suicide and I became a target. Later I married a man who bullied me, but I found a way to break the cycle. I was a victim but now I am a survivor! I am a champion,” Morse said to loud applause.

She said she managed to break the cycle by developing self respect and respect for others.

“I found self love and so I developed self respect. I also developed respect for others. Tearing people down is never a good thing,” Morse said. Central Division ACP Patsy Joseph also urged the pupils to stay on the right side of the law, while sensei Marva John Logan said sports can be used as a positive alternative to delinquency and violence. Former pupil Leandra Ramdeen told the pupils she faced good and bad times at the school but engaging in sports helped her to deal with her frustration.

Supt of Prisons at the Youth Training Centre, Germaine De Graff, also advised the pupils to choose peace over violence, saying many youths were now forced to spend their life behind bars because they got caught up with bad company.

Mason Ramjassingh, an inmate at the YTC, said he has regretted his life’s choices which landed him in prison. However, he said he hoped by sharing his experiences he could help others make better choices.

Principal Fay Rasheed Persad said safety in schools was of utmost importance. She thanked the Central Division police and the other agencies for speaking to the pupils.

Grappling with millions of dollars in debts, local rice farmers say they have experienced their lowest yields ever and are blaming the government and the National Flour Mills.

Figures from NFM show that farmers produced only 126 tonnes of rice for 2018, compared to 2,800 tonnes in 2014. At present there are 30 rice farmers in T&T compared to more than 10,000 in the 1970’s and 80’s.

Richard Singh who cultivates lands in central Trinidad said the farmers are so frustrated that many of them were abandoning their estates. They have scheduled an emergency meeting at Warrenville today to discuss the productivity crisis,.

“Every quarter we have to pay ADB (Agricultural Development Bank). Flour Mills (NFM) supposed to pay us but they have not done so. The government owes us and they jamming us with heavy interest. I am owing $2.7 million to ADB but I have paid back $1.3 million. I never had loans before,” Singh said.

Another farmer from southeast Trinidad, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he was able to plant only 350 acres out of 647 acres.

“I just did not have money to do full-scale cultivation. Our loans are accruing interest. For this year I paid $600,000 in interest and I am still owing $1.7 million to the ADB,” he said, adding that the last time rice farmers got seeds from the government was in 2014.

“Back then the seeds did not germinate successfully. Because of seed quality, we are losing hundreds of thousands of dollars. We cannot see our way because of late payment by the NFM,” the farmer added.

Agricultural economist Omardath Maharaj said according to UN ComTrade statistics, T&T imported 37,843 tons of rice in 2014 at a value of approximately$ 143 million.

“In that year, total exports of the commodity was estimated at 336 tons at a value of $ 0.767 million. Annual paddy production averaged 2,569 tons per annum between 2007 and 2014,” jr said.

Maharaj said there was a need for revitalization, as farmers had invested downstream by bringing three of the more popular rice brands to market—Island Grain, Moruga Hill Rice, and Navet Lagoon Rice.

He called on the government to support production, milling, packaging, and marketing of locally-grown rice. One of the main challenges is the ability of the NFM to efficiently mill and convert all locally cultivated paddy into a finished rice product, he said.

Maharaj said there should be the development of a niche market for local rice.

“Trinidad and Tobago may not be able to compete with regional rice producers such as Guyana and Suriname in terms of volume, parboiled and white rice,” he said.

“However, we can develop and service a regional niche market for healthy, natural foods such as our brown rice. We can also bring more arable and currently idle and under-performing land assets into production with new rice varieties, methodologies, and extension support to increase productivity and income at the farm level.”

The sprawling mansion at Raphael Road, Freeport which murdered mother Anita Mohammed struggled to keep after her husband died, will stand closed when her funeral takes place later this week.

A close relative said funeral arrangements are being scheduled either today or tomorrow once final arrangements are approved by her children Chelsea, 20 and Tristan, 19. 

"We plan to have the service at the Muslim home at Munroe Road and then to the Preysal cemetery for burial," the relative said. 

On her Facebook page, Chelsea wrote, "Angels have no thoughts of ever returning to you, would they be angry if I thought of joining you?"

Her profile picture read, "Sometimes a person prays with tears. When the words are missing, Allah knows our hearts."

Homicide officers yesterday spoke with relatives as they tried to piece together Mohammed's last activities before her demise.

An argument with two Spanish-speaking men, an impromptu trip to Chaguaramas and two mysterious phone calls are believed to be important clues to the murder.

Investigators believe that Mohammed was receiving money from criminal elements to maintain her house and to pay off debts which her husband left after he passed suddenly five years ago.

It took Mohammed four years of hard work to upkeep the house and to continue to give her children the life they were accustomed to. 

Mohammed went missing on December 20 and eight days after her disappearance, Chelsea vented on Facebook chastising TSTT for not releasing her mother's phone records.

She wrote, "TSTT could you please ......assist me in finding my mother? It's been 8 days since she’s been gone and I'm at my breaking point. THIS IS A MISSING PERSON. I made a report and I have proof of being her daughter, I even showed up with two officers of the AKU. What more do you need? Why do I now have to find lawyers to get her call log? Losing my father came as a shock and I lost him instantly. Losing my mother like this is even worse because I have no closure to this whole situation."

The remains of a woman with missing limbs were found off an oilfield road in Santa Flora but it was only on Tuesday that forensic analysis on the remains confirmed the body belonged to Mohammed.

Anyone with information on the death can contact Crimestoppers at 800-TIPS.

Kunti Deopersad’s husband Tilkee Gopaul has fallen into depression and relatives now fear for his safety after a recent incident.

In fact, distraught relatives are now calling on the National Family Services Division to provide counselling for Deopersad, Gopaul and their seven children, two of whom are still in school.

During an exclusive interview yesterday, Gopaul said he will always have a place in his life for his wife although she walked out on their marriage after faking her own kidnapping two months ago.

Speaking at his Oropouche South Trace, Barrackpore home yesterday, Gopaul, 60, said he has been unable to work or sleep since Mother’s Day, after he and Deopersad had a physical altercation. Gopaul said he could not fathom the treatment he got from Deopersad, whom he lived with for 23 years and in frustration he lashed out. Remorse later set in and he attempted something he now regrets.

“I was not thinking straight. I had a piece of poui and I give her a lash. Why is she treating me so? I never do nobody nothing. We used to live good. I struggle and build my house, I worked hard to provide for my family and last year I retired from the corporation. I used to still go out and work, cutting people grass and planting garden. She never want for anything, why she do this to me?” Gopaul said with sad eyes.

He said the shame of her betrayal had trapped him inside his own head and his own home. Saying he did not know where he went wrong, Gopaul said now that he was in the latter stages of his life he wanted to have peace.

“I can’t leave here to go anywhere, not even to walk down the road. My daughter had to leave her job in Princes Town because people were talking about Kunti. The children missing her. If I have to go anywhere, someone will drop me. It is not nice what we going through,” Gopaul said.

Recalling his latest ordeal, Gopaul said his son-in-law and one of his daughters prevented him from doing himself severe harm.

Gopaul said he last saw Deopersad in Princes Town on Tuesday.

“I didn’t see her but she called me out. I asked her when she coming back home and she said she will come back after she cools her head,” Gopaul said.

He added that his two younger daughters were facing ridicule in school and he was worried.

“One of them wrote exams yesterday and I could see the sadness on their faces. It not easy watching them grieve. I am glad I did not die because of them. I am sorry for what I did and I won’t do it again,” Gopaul said.

However, his 18-year-old daughter Radha said she was worried about Gopaul. She said she wanted both her parents to get counselling from the National Family Services Division. She too said she was confused by her mother’s behaviour, adding that her father was a good man who always provided for them.

But the man with whom Deopersad is now living with said yesterday that there were many issues which the public did not know, but said it was not his place to tell her story. He said Deopersad has been receiving counselling.

Several attempts were made to contact National Family Services at their hotline, but both numbers were not in service.

Attempts to reach Minister of Social Development Cherrie-Ann Crichlow-Cockburn were also unsuccessful as she did not answer her cellular phone.

Danny Thomas spent his boyhood days filling water on wooden box carts and performing stunts in them with his friends but without the proper guidance, he was soon lured into a life of crime which eventually led to his imprisonment.

Now 12 years after leaving prison, Thomas, now 44, has returned to his childhood past time but instead of riding the box carts, he is now designing, building and selling them to young people.

Using used wheel bearings and discarded pieces of wood, Thomas fashions the box carts in a matter of minutes. He uses paint donated to him to create abstract designs and sells the carts for $200 to $300 depending on the size.

Thomas stacks the carts at the corner of Priam Street, Diamond Village, where many people gather to socialise on afternoons.

Having faced a difficult life in prison for possession of drugs, possession of arms and ammunition, kidnapping and larceny, Thomas said he now uses his time to help others understand the dangers of crime.

“My motivation is to bring the youths back to the old time days. Nowadays, its Facebook and tablet. People don’t want to enjoy the outdoors. They want to stay inside and play games. I met a woman from Penal who told me that my box carts brought back the old time memories to her. She grew up pulling cane and filling water. She bought two box carts from me and she gave it to her pupils. She motivated me to sell more carts,” Thomas said. 

He complained that Diamond Village had been overcome with drugs and he thinks his option to offer young people a childhood adventure may set children on the right path.

“I did not have a good father and I went astray but I brought back my life in order. I grew up selling drugs, robbing people. I do all kinds of things in my life. That is not a life to live because when you selling the drugs and end up in jail, other people outside living up a nice life and you stuck in there,” Thomas said.

He said he now earns $700 a week selling box carts. So inspired are his neighbours by his transformation that they offer the materials for him to work free of charge.

Thomas said gets the wheel bearings from a nearby garage. For most of the day, he could be seen hammering the carts into shape.

“I not charging them plenty. It have certain people begging me to do this. I getting paint and certain things to bring back these things. It is rewarding work,” Thomas said.

He added that his girlfriend has been his motivation as well. Anyone interested in Thomas’ box carts can call contact him at 353-4299.

When road conditions get deplorable, it is common for people to stage fiery protests to get the relevant authorities to fix it.

But villagers of Sewlal Trace, Fyzabad got together and paved their road for themselves, rather than protest.

The community comprising of 30 households raised $5,500 which they used to buy 12 truckloads of oil sand and crush stone aggregate.

Paving started at the crack of dawn on Wednesday and continued up to late yesterday.

Using rakes, spades, forks, and buckets to dig and spread the oil sand, the villagers worked together earning the support of two Fyzabad contractors, Brian Ramlogan, of Trice Enterprise Limited, and Sheldon Ragbir, of SR Transport.

Ragbir said he first opted to donate his equipment for one day but when the project was not completed on Wednesday he brought in another set of materials and equipment on Thursday to complete the job.

The road, which is about a mile long, falls under the jurisdiction of Petrotrin but despite numerous appeals, it remained unpaved.

Resident Kierron Yip Ngow said, “We decided that it was not worth waiting for Petrotrin to pave it. They promised to do so since 2013. The last time this road was paved was in 2005 when it was done as a self-help project. Back then a resident, Tiffany Mungroo, pleaded with everyone to pave the road and to give us pipe-borne water. We got together as a community and did it with Self Help Commission,” Yip Ngow said.

He added that the road was not maintained by the Siparia Regional Corporation and even though Petrotrin agreed to survey and repave the road, years passed and their cries fell on deaf ears.

He said Ragbir offered to give them materials at a discount. Ramlogan offered a yard of crush and 12 yards of oil sand. That was what we started with and we spent the day spreading the oil sand. It was not enough and those contractors came back with materials and used their backhoes and steamroller to help us,” Yip Ngow said.

Another resident, Deo Mangaroo, said he was proud of the residents’ efforts.

“It is not everywhere you would find this kind of co-operation,” he said.

Mukesh Jaikaran added, “It felt very good. I took a day off today. We deal with the MP well and he spoke with us and explained that we weren’t getting any funds. He was the one who motivated us. We are hoping that we will get an asphalt road one day,” he said.

MP Lackram Bodoe said the residents first approached him last October and he told them that funds were short at the Corporation. Bodoe said he told the residents that if they pooled money together he will match whatever they raised and get assistance for them to pave their own road.

Ideally, the cost of paving the one-mile strip could have been over $10,000 but residents got much more.

With co-operation and charity, they achieved friendships, community camaraderie, and personal satisfaction, Bodoe said.

Gun violence stemming from the murder of multi-millionaire car dealer Sheron Sukhdeo escalated with three separate shootings on Thursday and Friday one of which occurred at the palatial fortress once occupied by Sheron and his wife Rachael.

The mansion, heavily secured with video cameras and three rolls of barbed wire, was shot up before midnight and police recovered half a dozen shells from outside the building at Xavier Street Extension, Chaguanas. 

Prior to this, gunmen opened fire at the home of Ricky Sukhdeo, the uncle of Sheron, who later filed a report at the Chaguanas police station. Two hours before these shootings, gunshots were also fired at the home of Kerron Williams, 32, aka Wakaman.

In an interview with Crimewatch host Ian Alleyne, Rachael claimed she was being framed for one of the shootings.

She also claimed that the police had prior knowledge of the shooting which occurred at Ricky's home.

"(Name called) was going to pay people to shoot down Ricky house so that it will reflect on me. I am in another part of the world. I have no knowledge of what going on in Trinidad. (Name called) gave a report and I called the senior police in Chaguanas and informed him of what was being planned," Rachael said.

She added, "The police said have no worries he will deal with it. (Name called) own people whom (name called) trusted and playing sides with get shoot down. Before you call me and wake me, I could have told you that house was going to get shoot down. Ask me how. Police got the information. The senior Supt was aware."

Police said Ricky in a statement admitted to speaking to Rachael on the phone and threats were allegedly made.

However, Rachael told officers that Ricky wanted her to move out one of Sheron's burnt out cars from his premises and she agreed to send a wrecker to remove the vehicle.

Checks outside Ricky's home showed no evidence of damages and police said the shots were apparently fired on the ground. 

Meanwhile, Williams, 32, of 136A Canna Avenue, Edinburg, 500 also escaped death when gunmen opened fire at his home. Williams told police he was at home when a man he knows from Tarouba came to him and began beating him. The man and two others then fired shots at the house and escaped in his maroon SUV.

Williams said he did not know why the men targeted him. However, sources said the shooting was linked to the Sukhdeo family feud.

Since her husband's death, Rachael has expressed concerns about the safety of herself and her two children.

Last Sunday the family flew out, leaving their mansion. Her parents and younger brother have also gone into hiding.

Their home at Chaguanas remained locked and neighbours have taken additional precautions to safeguard their families.

Sources said there was also a plan to fire-bomb Sukhdeo's mansion. A hit list of family members marked for death was also being investigated by the police. Since Sukhdeo, 33, aka World Boss, was shot dead outside the home of his in-laws at Caroni Savannah Road, Charlieville, Chaguanas on March 26, three others have died.

On April 22, Sukhdeo’s neighbour Joshua Plaza, 21, of Savannah Heights, Charlieville, was shot dead.

On May 4, Phillip Bassant, Rachael’s younger brother,  was also gunned down almost in almost the same spot where Sheron was killed. It is believed both Bassant and Plaza were directly involved in Sheron’s murder.

On May 13, Kerwin Beckles, Rachael's bodyguard was shot dead near the New Settlement Savannah in Chaguanas. 

Cpl Danai is continuing investigations.