PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, Oct 20, CMC – The Judiciary of Trinidad and Tobago Tuesday said it is aware of reports concerning the execution of a search warrant in relation to the Chief Magistrate, Brian Debideen.
“The Judiciary recognises the importance of the core legal principles of due process, the presumption of innocence and that all persons are considered to be equal before the law,” it said in a brief statement.
Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro has confirmed that law enforcement officials carried out a search at the Debideen home saying he will only provide “updates if and when necessary and appropriate to do so”.
He said that the updates will only be disclosed “if such disclosure does not prejudice the investigation or any ensuing legal proceeding”.
Attorney Prakash Ramadhar, who is representing the Chief Magistrate, confirmed the search, adding that his client fully cooperated with investigators and voluntarily handed over the electronic devices.
“Yes, there was in fact a warrant executed on the Chief Magistrate …seeking to get his electronic devices which he fully cooperated in handing over and we want to thank and congratulate the professional way in which the officer has acted.
“The Chief Magistrate is extremely cooperative and will do everything to assist whatever investigation and all we ask is for it to be comprehensive and to be done quickly to remove any doubts and negative thoughts about the office or the person,” Ramadhar told the Trinidad Express newspaper, adding that they were looking forward to a swift resolution of the “lurking suspicion” surrounding the matter.
Media reports said that the warrant was executed as part of a wider investigation involving local and international law enforcement agencies and that the alleged offences being probed include money laundering, engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity, fraud, public corruption and bribery.
Guevarro confirmed that a “judicially authorised search warrant” was executed at the residence of a senior member of the judiciary and that it was “conducted under my direction as Commissioner of Police and coordinated by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Natasha George, and also involved officers of the Special Branch units operating under the portfolio of the Assistant Commissioner of Police responsible for white collar investigations, as well as the multi-option police section.”
Guevarro said that the search formed part of a broader investigation involving both local and international law enforcement partners and that several items considered to have evidential value had been seized.
In its brief statement, the Judiciary said that “given the nature of the matter, the Judiciary will refrain from further comment at this time to safeguard the fairness and integrity of any ongoing investigative or legal processes.”
CMC/aj/ir/2026