PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, Jun 15 2015 – Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar has dismissed allegations by her former embattled national security minister Austin Jack Warner that a quantity of marijuana had been found at her home in April 2013.
“More lies and distractions which I have placed in the hands of my lawyers, should Mr. Warner have any information about any wrong doing he should take it to the police and the FBI,” Prime Minister Persad Bissessar said.
On Sunday, the Trinidad Express newspaper carried a front page story in which Warner is quoted as saying that on Friday April 12, 2013, former deputy Commissioner of Police Mervyn Richardson came to the Parliament and informed him that a packet containing four ounces of marijuana was found outside a window of Persad Bissessar’s private residence at Phillipine, south east of here.
Warner, who was national security minister at the time, has since submitted a statement dated June 6, 2015 to Justice of the Peace Anthony Soulette with the allegation.
He said after he was approached by the former senior police officer, he summoned Leader of Government Business, Dr. Roodal Moonilal who advised him to contact the Prime Minister who was in New York at the time.
Warner claimed when he contacted the Prime Minister, she was surprised and enquired whether she should return home immediately and resign.
He claimed further that he advised Persad Bissessar to not resign as he, Richardson, Moonilal and former national security adviser Gary Griffith would cover up the ganja matter.
Griffith has denied any knowledge of the incident.
Warner is among several former and present FIFA officials indicted in the United States on money laundering, conspiracy, fraud and racketeering as a result of their activities at the worlds governing football body.
Warner, the former FIFA vice president has denied the allegations and is fighting extradition to the United States. He is due to re-appear in court here on July 9.
