Mac released over explosives

(CNS): Although police say the investigation relating to the importation of explosive substances without valid permits last February is continuing, the former premier and the owner of the company involved were released from police bail Tuesday. McKeeva Bush and Suresh Prasad, the Managing Director of Midland Acres, the quarry company involved, met their bail conditions when they presented themselves to anti-corruption officers this morning and were let go. Bush still faces 11 counts relating to allegations of theft and corruption offences but no charges have been brought against the UDP leader in relation to the explosive importation or the emails he sent to senior civil servants asking them to release the illegal shipment after it was seized by the authorities.

Bush will be appearing in Summary Court on Friday morning in connection with the charges that were brought last month and he is understood to be the subject of other corruption investigations. No other arrests or charges have been made against the Cayman Islands former leader and veteran politician.

Bush has denied all of the allegations against him, pointing to a conspiracy driven by the UK because of the defiant position he has taken towards the British authorities and what he considers the undue interference of the mother country into local affairs. Bush also believes the UK is attempting to undermine his election chances as he fights for not just his own West Bay seat but to regain government and the premier’s job once again.

The second man questioned in the dynamite probe was already convicted in Summary Court last year after he agreed to plead guilty on the basis of administrative and technical errors relating to the process of importing the explosives which were meant for quarry blasting.

Prasad said that steps in the importation process were missed as a result of efforts to expedite the importation to meet a contract to supply fill to the Dart Group. The director of Midland Acre was fined $1,300 in his role as the company boss in connection with four counts of importing explosive materials without the correct permits. The court found it was a regulatory error and accepted the argument that there was “no sinister motive” and that the explosive materials had been imported for a legitimate purpose.

An RCIPS spokesperson confirmed Tuesday that the investigation surrounding the circumstances continued, despite both men being released on bail, and updates would be provided to the public as and when appropriate.