Crime Scene Investigators (CSI) were set to return to the area known as Dog Island, which is located off Production Drive, Sea Lots, yesterday—after a graveyard of human bones was found in the swamp that borders the high-risk community.
The gruesome discovery was made around 3.30 pm on Thursday (February 29), after lawmen, acting on information, journeyed a quarter of a mile into the swamp, which runs alongside the Gulf of Paria.
Forced to wade through the marsh, which contained pig faeces, as sandflies and mosquitoes swarmed during their search for the alleged human remains, the party of officers were still surprised when they discovered the macabre scene of human bones strewn across the mangrove.
In addition, lawmen also found the remains of a body hanging from a tree, where a dark-coloured jersey contained what appeared to be a human skull with bullet holes in it.
Officers from the Besson Street Police Station, led by Insp Braithwaite, along with PCs Clarke and Pierre and Sgts Bowen and Rampersad, of the Central Police Station; and Sgt Seecharan, of the Homicide Bureau, participated in the exercise.
They were accompanied by officers from the Special Investigations Unit, the Canine Unit, and the Guard and Emergency Branch.
The area has been described by persons as a “graveyard” and a “dumping site” where wild pigs are usually found.
Officials believe the site was used to dispose of persons whose remains were eaten by the pigs, leaving only the bones behind.
The bones that were retrieved on Thursday were ordered removed by the District Medical Officer to the Forensic Science Centre, St James.
Guardian Media understands that DNA testing has to be done to determine just how many victims’ remains were among the bones collected.
Residents yesterday declined to speak about the discovery, while an anonymous caller claimed it was a graveyard where bodies were being dumped for years.
He said it was not a hidden secret and everyone in the area knew of it, as he directed reporters to another site where he claimed remains had been dumped.
Enquiries are continuing by Region One Homicide.