By FRANCIS JOSEPH
A brothel owner, who was arrested and detained as a result of a Preventive Detention Order (PDO), must remain in prison.
So said Justice Christopher Sieuchand in a written judgment handed down on Tuesday in favour of Minister of Homeland Security, Roger Alexander.
The judge dismissed the legal challenge brought by Lloyd Sealey against his continued detention under a PDO, ruling that the Minister of Homeland Security was entitled to maintain the order despite a Review Tribunal recommending that there was insufficient reason for his continued detention.
Sealey was represented by attorney Keron Ramkhalwhan, instructed by Anwar Hosein, while Anand Ramlogan SC, leading Lester Chariah and Lemuel Murphy, instructed by Jared Jagroo, appeared for the Minister.
The court ordered Sealey to pay 85 per cent of the Minister’s legal costs, certified as fit for one advocate attorney-at-law and one instructing attorney-at-law.
THE CHALLENGE
The case arose after Sealey obtained permission to pursue judicial review and filed his substantive claim on July 9. He challenged two decisions by Alexander.
The first was the Minister’s March 24 decision to issue a PDO under Regulation 14 of the Emergency Powers Regulations 2026, authorizing Sealey’s preventive detention.
The second was the Minister’s May 20 decision rejecting a recommendation of the review Tribunal that there was insufficient cause for Sealey’s detention and that his continued detention was not necessary or expedient in the public interest.
Sealey contended that both decisions were unlawful and, alternatively, unreasonable, irrational and/or disproportionate.
He sought orders quashing the decisions or requiring the Minister to reconsider the Tribunal’s recommendation. He also sought his release from detention, damages and costs.
THE ARREST
On March 15, police officers attached to the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) executed search warrants at LP #9 Marshall Trace, Munroe Road, Cunupia, a location identified in the judgment as “The Mansion Night Club.”
Several items were seized and several people, including Sealey, were detained under the Emergency Powers Regulations.
Sealey was served on March 17 with an order authorizing his further detention for seven days. On March 24, the Minister issued the PDO.
Among the grounds provided for Sealey’s detention alleged that confidential intelligence identified him as the owner and principal person in control of “The Mansion Night Club”.
The intelligence alleged that the premises functioned as an operational base for an organised criminal group involved in human trafficking and the commercial sexual exploitation of foreign nationals.
The grounds stated that when law enforcement officers went to the premises on March 15, 47 female foreign migrants were discovered along with marijuana, cocaine and items said to be consistent with a brothel operation.
According to the grounds, intelligence further alleged that Sealey oversaw a structured network involved in violent criminal acts and in recruiting, harbouring and redistributing victims while laundering illicit proceeds.
The particulars submitted in support of the PDO alleged that an organised criminal group operated from the Cunupia premises and was involved in the recruitment, harbouring and exploitation of foreign nationals, particularly Venezuelan migrants, for prostitution and commercial sexual exploitation.
It was also alleged that trafficked people were controlled at the premises until financial obligations were repaid and were subsequently redistributed to other locations locally and regionally.
The intelligence further alleged that the enterprise was supported by narcotics-related activity and had the capacity for violence, including the use of armed security, intimidation and force.
Minister Alexander maintained that there was an ongoing risk that, if released, Sealey could continue operating the alleged network, facilitate the exploitation of vulnerable foreign nationals, engage in or support narcotics trafficking and interfere with ongoing investigations.
The State of Emergency ends on September 17.
