Human trafficking suspect
G.Y. to be released today
~ Will be material witness in Loor case ~
PHILIPSBURG--Human trafficking suspect G.Y. is expected to be released from pre-trial detention today, but he will have his day in court at a later date.
G.Y. will also be called as a material witness for the State in the case against arrested Police Commissioner Marcel Loor, when that case goes to trial, according to Chief Prosecutor Taco Stein.
Stein said Trinidad-born G.Y. would have to hand over his travel documents to the Prosecutor’s Office and make himself available to Federal Detectives who are still here investigating the Loor case.
G.Y. was arrested just over 30 days ago and, according to Stein, told detectives that he had paid Loor for illegal immigration documents. It is believed that those documents were used to bring mainly Chinese female nationals into the island to work at local brothels. It is also believed that some of the girls were smuggled from here into US territories for a special fee.
After G.Y. made the statement, Loor was investigated and was arrested at his St. John’s Estate home on June 19 on suspicion of accepting bribes and forging immigration documents.
Stein said G.Y.’s release did not come with any deals being made. He said the suspect had been detained for a considerable amount of time and because of the shortage of cell space, his release pending the court trial was considered.
Stein also explained that a part of that consideration was the fact that the crime committed was not of a violent nature. If authorities find that his role was not limited to just paying money for the forged documents, he will be re-arrested.
Meanwhile, Loor remains behind bars at the Pointe Blanche prison in the sick bay, serving a second eight-day pre-trial detention. He will most likely serve a third eight-day pre-trial detention starting Saturday. At the end of those eight days on July 15, the Prosecutor’s Office will have to request a 60-day extension of Loor’s pre-trial detention, which can then be appealed by his attorney.
