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The search continues for a man believed to have drowned in Manzanilla.

He has been identified as Terrance Joseph.

Reports say the incident took place near a beach resort in the area last Saturday.

Newscenter 5 understands Mr. Joseph went into the water and got into difficulty.

He then disappeared.

Checks were made but to no avail.

The Hunters Search and Rescue Team led by captain Valence Rambarath was also contacted.

They are said to be combing the waters in search of Mr. Joseph.

Investigations are now ongoing.

The Archbishop of Port of Spain says the death penalty is no more than State sanctioned murder.

Jason Gordon believes what needs to be done is better conviction rates and for the authorities to pay attention to underdeveloped communities.

Speaking on Capital Punishment yesterday he said it is a cold murderous exercise.

He said it does not achieve its intended outcome.

The archbishop said convictions levels need to be increased.

Archbishop Gordon also told of the dangers of underdevelopment.

His grace sat yesterday with Garth and Natasha as a guest on the Eye On Dependency program.

Police suspect the shooting deaths in mount hope may have been connected to another murder in the area.

Last Saturday night 31-year-old Keston Cumberbatch and Anton Young, who was 40-years-old were shot at Sorillo Drive at around 8:35pm.

Another man was wounded during that incident.

The 3 men were shot several times.

The gunman fled the scene after the shooting.

The 3 wounded men were taken to hospital where Mr. Cumberbatch and Mr. Young were declared dead on arrival.

The other wounded man was up to yesterday listed in a stable condition.

He was shot on one of his legs.

Investigators say it is very likely that the killings were connected to the murder of Malachi Brann.

Mr. Brann was shot in the face on January 3^rd.

He was from Sorillo Drive, Mount Hope.

He recently died at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex.

A man identified as Jaden Alexander has been stabbed to death in Santa Cruz.

Reports say the incident took place at La Canoa Road at around 3pm yesterday afternoon

Newscenter 5 understands Mr. Alexander got into an argument with another man.

The other man is said to have pulled out a sharp object and dealt Mr. Alexander several stab wounds about his body.

The assailant then escaped.

Mr. Alexander was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Police officers in Arima tell parents if your child is found loitering after school there will be a price to pay. 

The warning comes from Head of the Northern Division Sr. Supt. Kerwin Francis.  

Supt. Francis says an unhealthy culture is trending among students and he is prepared to stop it.

In addition Sr. Supt. Francis tells of his intention to take a firm stand with any minor who disobeys his officers. 

Supt. Francis tells Newscenter 5 the police presence will be increased from today.  

A call from the family for the authorities to say when the body of fisherman Rishi Kemchand will be brought home.

Kavita Kemchand says days after the family positively identified her brother’s corpse they remain without closure.

Last month 54-year-old Heeralal ‘Linus’ Kooblal, 38-year-old Rishi Khemchand, 40-year-old Andy ‘Tallman’ George, and the boat’s captain, George Joti left Grand Lagoon Village, Mayaro on an expedition.

Mr. Kemchand’s body was found in Venezuela and his sister says to this day it remains there.

She is calling for answers, as the family needs closure.

The decomposing body was found tangled in the thick underbrush of the Cocuina Mangroves in northern Venezuela.

An early morning fire partially destroys sections of the Drag Mall in Port of Spain.

The incident took place on Frederick Street around 1am this morning.

Newscenter 5 understands workers at the mall noticed smoke coming from one of the stalls and then was fire.

The fire services and police were contacted.

Tenders from the Wrightson Road headquarters arrived in minutes and found the structure well alight.

Fire officers extinguished the blaze and investigations are now underway to determine the cause of the blaze.

Back in 2018 another fire also destroyed sections of the mall leaving business owners with millions of dollars in loss.

The United National Congress is not involved in human trafficking, this from Opposition MP Dr. Roodal Moonilal and he is calling on Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, or anyone with such information to come forward.

In the Parliament last week, Dr. Rowley spoke of a 2022 US Human Trafficking Report, which links particular members of the UNC with human trafficking.

Former Government Minister Devant Maharaj under the UNC also confirmed the statement of the Prime Minister.

Yesterday Dr. Moonilal said anyone with information should take the matter to the police.

He also called on Police Commissioner Erla Christopher to say if any such probe has been launched against members of the UNC in connection with human trafficking.

Mr. Maharaj, who served in the People’s Partnership government, says that during 2010-2015 internal investigations headed by Senior UNC officials, investigated the allegations of human trafficking.

Mr. Maharaj says he can confirm that he assisted in these investigations.

He says he can also confirm that the allegations were true and correct.

Mr. Maharaj says individuals who now hold high office in the UNC, on a regular basis provided a regular supply of Venezuelan and Colombian prostitutes to persons within and outside of the party.

He says he was approached on several occasions to utilize this service all of which he refused.

Dr. Moonilal criticized Mr. Maharaj for his comments.

He also pointed fingers at the Prime Minster saying he was seen liming with persons linked to human trafficking at a recent carnival fete.

Dr. Moonilal was speaking at a media conference hosted  by the UNC yesterday.