Police searched Chief Magistrate Brian Debideen’s home and seized devices in a probe. No charges have been laid.
Police in Trinidad and Tobago executed a search warrant Monday at the San Fernando home of Chief Magistrate Brian Debideen and seized his electronic devices, the Trinidad Express reported. Debideen’s attorney, Prakash Ramadhar, confirmed the search to the newspaper and said the magistrate cooperated fully and handed over the devices voluntarily. No charges have been laid.
Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro, who did not name Debideen, confirmed in a statement that a judicially authorized warrant was executed at the residence of a senior member of the judiciary. He said the operation was conducted under his direction and coordinated by Deputy Commissioner Natasha George. It also involved Special Branch units under the Assistant Commissioner responsible for white-collar investigations, and the multi-option police section. Guevarro said items of evidential value were seized as part of an ongoing investigation involving local and international law enforcement partners.
Guevarro declined to disclose the nature of the investigation or any future steps, saying it is at a sensitive stage and that disclosure could compromise the inquiry and any later court proceedings. The Express reported that the alleged offences under investigation include money laundering, engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity, fraud, public corruption and bribery. Police have not publicly confirmed those offences, and the Express did not attribute the information to a named source.
Guevarro said no person is above the law and that everyone is entitled to due process. He said the investigation would be conducted professionally and impartially, regardless of the office or position held by anyone under inquiry. He urged the public to avoid speculation and said he would give updates only if doing so would not prejudice any proceedings. In a statement Tuesday, the Judiciary of Trinidad and Tobago said it was aware of the reports and cited due process, the presumption of innocence and equality before the law. It said it would make no further comment, to protect the fairness and integrity of any investigative or legal processes, according to the Trinidad and Tobago Guardian.
Ramadhar said his client wants a comprehensive investigation completed quickly to remove doubt about the office and the person. Asked whether Debideen would continue to hear cases, he said the magistrate has a duty to perform. He said he is confident the matter will be resolved in Debideen’s favor. Neither the police nor the Judiciary said in the statements reviewed whether Debideen will continue to sit.