India-born doctor faces drug trafficking charges in Trinidad

A court in Trinidad and Tobago has granted bail to an India-born doctor, who is from Delhi, who is facing drug trafficking charges in the twin island country off the northern edge of South America.

Raja Shiva Prasad Muvvalla, a medical officer with the Tobago Regional Health Authority (TRHA), was released on a $300,000 bail Monday by Magistrate Rae Roopchand of the Arima First Court. Muvvalla has been living in Trinidad and Tobago for the past 10 years.

The doctor was arrested in Tobago last week after an identification parade. Muvvalla is accused of trafficking more than 17 kgs of cocaine from Piarco International Airport last November. The value of the drug in international market is estimated at $1.2 million, according to the police.

He was also charged under provisions of the Customs Act for attempting to export an illegal substance. The cocaine was concealed in two water heaters destined to be flown to Jamaica by the Caribbean Airlines.

He would have to hand over his passport and report to the police every alternate day until the matter is determined by the court. The court heard that Muvvalla has a previous conviction. He will re-appear in the court June 30.

(Paras Ramoutar can be contacted at paras_ramoutar@yahoo.com)