Former SSA head pleads not guilty to ammo charge

Senior Reporter

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Former Strategic Services Agency (SSA) director Roger Best has pleaded not guilty to being in possession of more ammunition than he was permitted under his Firearm User’s Licence (FUL).

Best, of Pinewood Drive, Arima, was charged via court summons late last month and entered the plea as he made his first court appearance at the Arima Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Avion Gill yesterday.

During the hearing, Magistrate Gill gave directions for the evidence against Best to be disclosed to his lawyers, led by Arden Williams. She adjourned the case to March 17 next year, for a State attorney from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to be assigned to prosecute Best.

A date for the trial of the case is expected to be set during the next hearing.

Earlier this year, Best was arrested alongside former police commissioner Erla Harewood-Christopher in relation to an investigation into two bolt-action sniper rifles that were procured for the SSA. They were both released after DPP Roger Gaspard, SC, concluded that there was insufficient evidence to charge them.

Best was subsequently charged for being in possession of 198 rounds of 9mm ammunition when his FUL only permitted him to carry 24 rounds.

In March last year, Best was dismissed by the National Security Council (NSC), led by then-prime minister Dr Keith Rowley, who alleged that SSA staff under Best’s leadership were involved in an alleged plot to topple the government.

Last year, Best, pastor Ian Brown, Sgt Sherwin Waldron, a former tactical operations officer, and Suzan Portell-Griffith, a former security supervisor with the SSA, were arrested in relation to a probe over the possession and transfer of weapons and ammunition. Best was not eventually charged alongside the trio.

Brown was accused of misbehaving in public office by possessing four prohibited firearms and 360 rounds of ammunition. His co-accused were accused of illegally transferring the weapons.

In February, the charges were dismissed due to the failure of prosecutors to comply with court procedures and deadlines.

Best has pursued a lawsuit over his dismissal, which is expected to be decided by High Court Judge Nadia Kangaloo later this year.