CLAY JOSHUA ALI, a mechanic, of Hibiscus Lane, North Eastern Settlement, Sangre Grande, appeared virtually before Master Shabiki Cazabon on the charges of possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking, dangerous driving, four breaches of a traffic light signal, one
breach of no entry sign and failure of comply with the lawful directives of a police constable.

The 21-year-old man, who was one of the main suspects in the marijuana seizure following a high speed chase last Saturday in Sangre Grande, was yesterday granted $550,000 bail with a surety by a Master of the High Court.
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As part of his bail conditions, ALI is ordered to report to his local police twice a week and is confined to an 11 pm to 6 am daily curfew. ALI, who is believed to be the driver of the vehicle used in the alleged incident, was arrested on March 10th by Eastern Division Task Force (EDTF) police officers and subsequently charged on March 12th by PC Ali, of the Traffic and Highway Patrol Branch Task Force (THPBTF).

No date has yet been given for the accused reappearance at court.

According to police reports, at around 11.45 pm on March 9th, 2024, THPBTF police officers were conducting a roadblock exercise at Tumpuna Road North, Arima, when a silver Nissan Wingroad motor vehicle turned onto the roadway, and upon seeing police officers, the driver reversed and sped off east along the Churchill Roosevelt Highway. THPBTF officers gave chase and a pursuit continued into the Eastern Division.

Officers of the EDTF, Sangre Grande Criminal Investigations Department, Emergency Response Patrol and Valencia Police Post, joined in the pursuit and mounted a roadblock in the area.

At one of the roadblocks, the driver of the Wingroad rammed into the right side of one of the police vehicles, causing damage to the vehicle. The driver of the Wingroad, upon reaching Katwaroo Trace, Sangre Grande, subsequently crashed into a wall on the northern side of the road and two suspects exited the vehicle and escaped.

A search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of the packets which amounted to 24.8 kilogrammes. The investigation also included personnel from the Eastern Division Gang and Intelligence Unit. Enquiries remain ongoing into the incident.