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Sen. Arlie Gill |
Opposition Senator for the main Opposition National Democratic Congress, Arley Gill, says he is willing to assist the Minister of National Security and the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF) in their investigation into the "Baby Ruth" controversy.
The issue surfaced in recent weeks ago after a boat named "Baby Ruth" which is owned by the opposition senator was found in St Vincent waters with two persons (Grenadians) aboard and allegedly carrying a large quantity of monies in their possession.
It was also alleged that the men, one from Grand Mal had no form of identification.
During the sitting of the Senate last week Tuesday at the Grenada Trade Centre, Leader of Government Business in the Senate, Major Einstein Louison, who is also a Minister of National Security, raised the issue of illegal travel between Caribbean waters.
Sen. Louison told the sitting that more than EC$11,000.00 in addition to US$200.00 were found on the small boat.
The two men - identified as Alfred Weekes and Richard Marryshow - were taken into police custody at the Central Police Station in St Vincent and later turned over to the Grenadian authority.
According to Sen. Louison, government is baffled as to why the vessel was not confiscated by the Vincentians since it entered the neighbouring island illegally.
He also noted that the men claimed that they were fishing even though they had no fishing equipment on board the vessel.
In response, Sen. Gill told the Senate that he was not in Grenada when the incident occurred but instead was "chipping in Trinidad carnival".
He admitted that he was the proud owner of two boats - "Baby Ruth" and "Jack Sparrow" and that they are properly registered with the local Fisheries Department.
Sen. Gill stated that he had not yet had the opportunity to sit with the lessee of the boat, Alfred Weekes of Grand Mal to discuss the situation.
The Opposition Senator defended his action in the matter, stating that what he did was only make an investment in the youths and this is what history will record him as having done.
Gill pointed out that he knows nothing about what happened in Vincentian waters and questioned the need for the local ministry of National Security to investigate him in relation to the matter.
"My life is an open book - look read all the pages within", he told the sitting of Parliament.
However, Sen. Louison lamented that the issue was indeed a serious one that needs to be investigated taking into account the number of charges that the captain of the boat has against him in local courts.
In addition, Louison said that there are security concerns both in Grenada and St Vincent with that kind of boating activity.
Sen. Louison stated that while he is not accusing Sen. Gill of anything, the fact of the matter is that this is serious business and urged the Opposition Senator not try to simplify it since boats have gone missing, lives lost and trafficking in illegal drugs often occur in these waters.
Sen. Gill informed the House that the lease arrangement signed with the operator of the boat will be reviewed shortly.
