The 30-year-old businessman held in relation to a raid on a suspected brothel in Tacarigua has denied being involved in human trafficking.
In an interview with the T&T Guardian yesterday, almost 24 hours after he was released by police, the father of three, who asked to remain unnamed to protect his business interests, said that his only involvement in the case was his relationship with a 19-year-old Guyanese woman who was among the four people who were found at the property.
“I was frightened after hearing that I was being sought after by police. I am very close to the (name called), the Guyanese national, so when I heard she was taken into custody I started to wonder if I did anything wrong,” the man said, as he justified his decision to surrender to police on Monday.
He claimed that he always maintained his innocence while being interrogated by police and investigators from the Counter Trafficking Unit (CTU) of the Ministry of National Security.
“Well, to be honest, I was frightened and thing, but I tried to maintain my composure. I knew I was innocent and when the police searched my house they found nothing and I guess they came to the same [conclusion],” he said.
The man, who operates a bar in El Dorado, said he was considering suing the police as his business suffered severely in his absence.
“I incurred damages because of all of this. I lost the lease for the home that was searched by the police so I might be homeless as a result...I lost business because of my absence. One of my businesses was also robbed because no one was there to manage it... So I am definitely seeking redress for damages I’ve suffered,” he said.
According to reports, police raided the establishment, located off the Eastern Main Road in Tacarigua, last Wednesday, after receiving reports of suspicious activities from neighbours.
Police found the Guyanese woman, a Trinidadian and two Venezuelans who gave conflicting reports for their presence there.
Police later discovered that the three foreign nationals were here illegally and began investigating the Guyanese teenager, who was believed to be assisting in running a prostitution ring.
However, police sources have since said that they were unable to find any evidence linking either the businessman or the Guyanese woman to the illegal entry of the Venezuelans into the country. The Guyanese teenager could not be released from the Immigration Detention Centre in Aripo due to her immigration status.
Investigations are continuing.