Later that day I attended incident room sorted and consecutively stamped the correspondence seized from Miranda in company with Detective Constable Severin. At 9.O5pm on Friday, 18th May, 1990, I attended Lighthouse Hill, Southampton and attempted to begin observations upon the residence of Thaddeus Ming.

I was prevented from obtaining a position to maintain observations upon the premises by the amount of traffic visiting the address.

At 9.l3pm I obtained a view of the house and saw a white Ford Escort motor car 22026 attend the location. The driver left the vehicle, he was tall and slim, dark skinned with a short hair cut.

38

The male went to the lower apartment and returned after less than a minute.

As the Ford, 22026, reversed from the address a cycle with two persons upon it arrived.

The driver of the car again left the vehicle and went to the cycle. They were together for a short while and the driver returned to the car and left the area.

The cycle entered the garden and both persons went to the door of the premises returning to the cycle and leaving after less than a minute.

At about 9.20pm the light to the lower premises was extinguished.

At about 9.26pm a motor cycle arrived at the residence with a single rider wearing a white crash helmet.

The rider dismounted from the cycle and walked to the lower residence, and light came from this area.

I remained at the location and awaited the arrival of other officers.

At about 10pm I entered the residence making my way to the upper residence and entered via the northside sliding glass door which was opened by Detective Inspector Jackson. I was aware of a woman who I now know as Ruth Ming being present and as a result of information received I opened a sliding wardrobe door. Inside, crouched, was a man who I now know as Colin Winfield Smith. I identified myself to Mr Smith

39

and informed him that I intended to search him under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Smith said, "Look, I just panicked, I have no rights up here".

I questioned Smith regarding how he came to be in the upper residence and he stated that he had climbed through a trap door situated in the wardrobe in which I had found him. We returned to the location and I saw Mrs Ruth Ming.

I asked Mrs Ming if she knew why Smith was in the residence and she stated that she did not.

When at the wardrobe Smith lifted back the carpeting exposing a wooden board. This he also lifted. At the south edge the board was hinged and swung up exposing steps to the lower apartment.

I took Smith to the room adjacent to the kitchen area and conducted a search of him with negative results.

Smith was left in the company of other officers as I prepared to leave with Detective Sergeant 46 Arnfield.

At 1O.49pm on Friday, 18th May, 1990, I attended Hamilton Police Station, in company with Detective Sergeant Arnfield, where I met Antonio Miranda. In the gaol area interview room I recorded a statement form him, I said, "I am Detective Constable Philip Swift and this is Detective Sergeant Arnfield. We are the Officers dealing with you in connection with your arrest today for conspiracy to import a controlled drug. With regard to this let me tell you that

You are not obliged to say anything unless you wish to do so

40

but what you say may be put into writing and given in evidence. Do you understand this.

Antonio Miranda said, "Yes, I do".

I said, "With regard to this do you wish to call your lawyer Mr Hall now".

Antonio Miranda said, "No, I would rather he did not know about our conversation. I’d like to help you all I can do you understand what I’m telling you".

I said, "Tony, with regard to this incident do you wish to make a statement, it will be written down".

Antonio Miranda said, "Yes, I understand that".

I said, "Do you wish to write your own statement".

Antonio Miranda said, "No, you can write it".

I then recorded the following caption, "I, Antonio Miranda wish to make a statement. I have been told that I need not say anything unless I wish to do so and what I say will be taken down in writing and may be given in evidence.

Antonio Miranda signed against the caution and I recorded his statement.

At 11.58pm I handed the completed statement to Antonio Miranda which he appeared to read and re-read.

At 12.l7am Antonio Miranda returned the record to me and then wrote at the conclusion, "I read the above statement. I have been told that I can add, alter or correct anything that I wish. This statement is true I have made it of my own free will".

Antonio Miranda then signed each page of the record.

41

At 7.25am on Saturday, 19th May, 1990, as a result of information received I obtained a search warrant pertaining to Colin Smith of South Road, Southampton and issued in accordance with the Misuse of Drugs Act.

At about 12.35pm the same day I met with Mr Julian Hall at Hamilton Police Station and, in company with Detective Sergeant Arnfield, had a conversation with Mr Hall regarding his relationship with Mr Antonio Miranda. I took notes.

I then escorted Antonio Miranda from the gaol area to the Inspector’s office at Hamilton Police, Station when he spoke, in our presence with Mr Hall.

At about 12.42pm Mr Hall and Antonio Miranda then left together to the station area interview room.

At 12.55pm I escorted Antonio Miranda to the gaol area.

At 3.l5pm I collected Antonio Miranda from the gaol area to the incident room at Police Headquarters.

At 3.2Opm on Saturday, 19th May, 1990 in company with Detective Sergeant Arnfield, I conducted a question and answer interview with Antonio Miranda at the incident room, Prospect.

I said, "I am Detective Constable Phihip’Swift and this is Detective Sergeant Arnfield. You may recall that we are the Officers that spoke with you this morning in the presence of your lawyer, Mr Julian Hall. We also recorded a statement from you last night. Then, as now, let me remind you that you are not obliged to say anything unless you wish to do so

42

and what you say may be put into writing and given in evidence. Do you understand this?".

Antonio Miranda said, "Yeah".

I said, "I remind you of this because when we came to see you, about ten minutes ago at Hamilton Police Station you said that you had something to tell us and that you do not want your lawyer present. Is that still the situation?"

Antonio Miranda said, "Yes, its for your benefit".

I said, "Do you wish to speak with your lawyer before you tell me what you have to say?".

Antonio Miranda said, "No, that’s O.K., I’m happy with the meeting earlier".

I said, "Tony, I wish to put some questions to you about the offence for which you have been arrested, namely conspiracy to import a controlled drug in relation to this you are not obliged to answer any of the questions unless you wish to do so, but if you do, the questions and answers will be taken down in writing and may be given in evidence, do you understand this?".

Antonio Miranda said, "Yes".

I then put to Antonio Miranda a series of questions and answers, recording the proceedings.

At 4.2Opm, during the record, Detective Constable Severin attended the interview room. At this time Detective Sergeant A left.

At 7.43pm I concluded the record which I handed to Antonio Miranda. He appeared to read the record, re-reading portions of it.

At 8.O8pm Antonio Miranda returned the record to me, signed.

43

I said, "Is there anything you would like to add, alter or correct".

Antonio Miranda said, "The early lies, I’m sorry, I hope I cleared them up".

I signed the record which was countersigned by Detective Sergeant A and Detective Constable Severin.

I said, "Is the record true".

Antonio Miranda said,. "Well, like I told you, it’s the truth after we talked about Angela, some of the other stuff’s true".

I said, "Did you make this record of your own free?" Antonio Miranda said, "Yes I did".

At 8am on Sunday 20th May, 1990, I attended the Narcotics

Department at Prospect, and, in company with Detective Constable 334 Severin, went to Hamilton Police Station.

At 8.3Oam in company with Antonio Miranda and Detective Constable Severin we made our way to Antonio Miranda’s residence at 8 McGalls Hill Drive, where he showered and changed his clothing.

At 9.3Oam we left the residence, having secured the remainder of Miranda’s possessions, including a Zenith television, and an Emerson Hi-f i video machine, and drove to the Narcotics office at Prospect. Here Miranda’s remaining possessions were unloaded and secured.

At lOam, as a result of information received from Antonio Miranda, in company with other officers we left for Lighthouse Hill, Southampton.

44

I kept notes of what transpired as we searched areas about Lighthouse Hill.

We returned to the Narcotics. office at 11.15am.

At l1.18am on Sunday, 20th May 1990, in company with Detective Sergeant A and Detective Constable Severin I conducted a question and answer interview with Antonio Miranda at the incident room.

I said, "Tony, I wish to put some questions to you in relation to the offence for which you have been arrested, namely conspiracy to import a controlled drug. You are not obliged to answer any of my questions unless you wish to do so but if you do the questions and answers will be taken down in writing and maybe given in evidence. Do you understand this?".

Antonio Miranda said, "Yes".

I said, "Do you wish to speak with your lawyer, or a legal representative before we start, or have any person present during this record?".

Antonio Miranda said, "He’s going to be speaking with me later, I saw him last night, that’s all right, I’ll speak with later, that’s alright".

I then put to Antonio Miranda a series of qu6stions and answers which I recorded.

At l.l2pm, during the record Miranda drew a plan of Ted Ming’s residence. This he dated, timed and signed. I countersigned the plan as did Detective Sergeant Arnfield.

At 3.lOpm the record was concluded and I handed it to Antonio Miranda and he appeared to read it then sign it.

45

I said, "Is there anything that you would like to add, alter or correct?".

Antonio Miranda said, "No".

I said, "is the record true".

Antonio Miranda said, "As far as I know

I said, "Did you make it of your own free will".

Antonio Miranda said, "Yes".

At 3.32pm Antonio Miranda was conveyed to the gaol area at Hamilton Police Station.

At 5pm on Sunday, 20th May, 1990 I attended the Co-ed facility at St Georges where, in company with Detective Sergeant A and Woman Detective Constable Vickers I met with Angela Trapasso.

I said, "I am Detective Constable Philip Swift, this is Detective Sergeant A and Woman Detective Constable Vickers. We are here concerning your arrest and wish to put some questions in connection with your arrest for conspiracy to import a controlled drug, the offence for which you may be prosecuted. You are not obliged to answer any of my questions unless you wish to do so but if you do the questions and answers will be taken down in writing and maybe given in evidence. Do you understand this?". Trapasso said, "Yes".

I said, "Do you wish to see a lawyer or receive legal advice before we commence".

Trapasso said, "No, I saw one at about four thirty I think it was".

I then put to Trapasso a number of questions which I recorded along with her replies. The record was concluded

46

at 5.54pm and I handed the record to Trapasso which she signed.

At 6.32pm the same day, in company with Detective Sergeant 46 Arnfield, I attended St Georges Police Station and met with a man who I know as Thaddeus Ming.

I said , I am Detective Constable Philip Swift and this is Detective Sergeant Arnfield. I wish to put some questions to you in connection ~4ith your arrest and concerning t1~e offence for which you may be prosecuted, namely conspiracy to import the controlled drug cocaine. You are not obliged to answer any of my questions unless you wish to do so but if you do the questions and answers will be taken down in writing and maybe given in evidence, do you understand? Ming said, "Yes I do".

I said, "Before I begin do you wish to speak with your lawyer or a legal representative?".

Ming said, "No

I then put to Ming a series of questions which I recorded along with his replies.

At 7. 25pm, at my request, Ming drew a plan of his residence. As a result of the drawing, at 7.3Opm I draw a plan of the residence and this Ming signed and dated. I countersigned both plans as did Detective Sergeant Arnfield.

At 8pm I handed the concluded record to Ming which he appeared to read before signing it.

I said, "is there anything that you would like to add, alter or correct?".

Ming said "No"

47

I said, "Is this statement, or record, true?".

Ming said, "Yes".

I said, "Have you made it of your own free will?¹’.

Ming said, "Yes".

On Monday 21st May, 1990, in company with Detective Constable Severin we sorted, collated and consecutively stamped all the items seized from Ted Ming’s residence.

At 5.lOpm on Monday 21st May, 1990, I met with Detective Sergeant Cutts of the Scenes of Crime Department and handed to him the five (5) plastic bags and five (5) pieces of "SARAN’ plastic wrap that had been wrapped about the five (5) bundles of money seized from Trapasso.

At 7.4Opm on Monday, 21st May 1990, I attended Hamilton Police Station in company with Detective Sergeant 46 A where I met with Antonio Miranda. Here I conducted a question and answer interview with Antonio Miranda.

I said, "Tony, as you may recall, I am Detective Constable Swift and this is Detective Sergeant Arnfield. We are dealing with you in connection with your arrest last Friday. I wish to put some questions to you about the offence for which you may be prosecuted, namely conspiracy to import the controlled drug cocaine, what we suspect to be cocaine. You are not obliged to answer any of my questi6ns unless you wish to do so but if you do the questions and answers will be taken down in writing and may be given in evidence. Do you understand this?".

Antonio Miranda said, "I understand and I do not think I’ll say anymore".

I said, "Tony, there are a few things that I would like to clarify therefore I am going to ask you questions, before I

48

do would you like to speak with your lawyer, or have any other person present?".

Antonio Miranda said, "I’ve spoken to my lawyer". I said, "What is your full name?".

Antonio Miranda said, "You know my name, Tony". I said, "What is your date of birth?".

Antonio Miranda said, "You know that too

I said, "Tony I put it to you that the person that you call Johnny, or Jimmy, Veles does not exist and that you made him up to cover the fact that you are running this cocaine importation organisation".

Antonio Miranda said, "That’s not true, I had to get the kilos from someone".

I said, "Who is VALEZ, or VELEZ, I have a reference to him in your wife’s documents?".

Antonio Miranda said, "I don’t know, but she’s got nothing to do with it, Johnny is just a name I made up

I said, "Why?".

Antonio Miranda said, "To keep you guys busy".

I said, "Who do you sell your cocaine to?".

Antonio Miranda said, "No one, you’ve got the names already".

I said, "To whom does the money found in your residence, at McGalls Hill Drive on Friday, belong?".

Antonio Miranda said, "You know that, I’ve told you already".

I said, "Why was it in bundles of $3000?".

Antonio Miranda said, "That’s just my system, I was told you can take $3000 out of Bermuda, if it has to go then I can take it out".

I said, "Where do you change it?".

Antonio Miranda said, "I’ve told you already, I’m not going to answer that".

49

I said, "Do you know how Ted Ming keeps his money, or where".

Antonio Miranda said, "That’s his business".

I said, "How do you hand the money to Ted?".

Antonio Miranda said, "In the packs of $3000, three grand".

I said, "How are they kept?".

Antonio Miranda said, "I count out three thousand dollars".

I said "All in one pile?"

Antonio Miranda said, "No like at the house with the $3000, I put a band around three of $1000".

I said, "I now show you five (5) bundles of cash. What can you tell me about this?".

I then showed Antonio Miranda the cash seized from Ted Ming’s residence.

Antonio Miranda said, "That’s from my house I guess, no, I don’t know, it’s the way I package it. Why?".

I said, "this money was found at Mr Ted Ming’s, have you seen it before?".

Antonio Miranda said, "That exact money, I don’t know, it looks like mines".

I said, "How much does Ted owe you?".

Antonio Miranda said, "I’ve answered that already, that and some (nods at bag containing $15,000)".

I said, "If these five packs are your money how much should be there?".

Antonio Miranda said, "What are you saying".

I said, "There are five (5) packs of money there, if it was your money how much would it total?".

Antonio Miranda said, "What you can’t add up", he paused and continued, "five lots of $3000, $15,000".

I said, "A piece of paper with your name on it was with the money …

50

Antonio Miranda interrupted me saying, "There you go then, it’s mines, not his".

I said, "On the paper are the words ‘Royal Viking Line 26 Miranda’. What does this mean?".

Antonio Miranda said, "I don’t know, probably Ted’s code". I said, "I now show you the piece of paper with the writing upon it. Have you seen it before?"

Antonio Miranda said, "No’.

I said, "Have you ever been into Ted Ming’s house?". Antonio Miranda said, "I told you already, I draw a picture, yes, no, well, I seen into his kitchen when you saw me pick up the $3000 last week".

I said, "I now intend to conclude this record, before I do is there anything else you would like recorded?". Antonio Miranda said, "Look, you have treated me right but my conscience is now bothering me, you don’t know what it is like growing up in a Spanish community, we don’t talk. I’ll just do my time. I’m sorry but that’s it".

At 8.11pm I handed Antonio Miranda the record and he returned it to me immediately saying, "I saw you write it with your fancy pen, you must like writing with all I’ve told you"

I said, "Tony is this record true?".

Antonio Miranda said, "I haven’t read it but you been writing what I said".

I then read the record to Antonio Miranda. I said, "Is that true?".

Antonio Miranda said, "Yeah".

I said, "Did you make it of your own free will". Antonio Miranda said, "Yes".

I said, "Is there anything you’d like to add alter or

Correct?"
Antonio Miranda said "No"

51

Antonio Miranda declined to sign the record.

At 8.2lpm on Monday, 21st May, 1990, in company with Detective Sergeant officer1 I attended Hamilton Police Station where I saw Thaddeus Ming.

I said, "Mr Ming, I am Detective Constable Swift and this is Detective Sergeant Arnfield, I wish to put some questions to you in relation to the offence of conspiracy to import a controlled drug for which you have been prosecuted. You are not obliged to answer any of my questions unless you wish to do so but if you do the questions and answers will be taken down in writing and maybe given in evidence. Do you understand this?".

Ming signed below the caution and I put to him a number of questions which I recorded contemporaneously along with Ming’s replies.

At 9.53pm I handed the record to Ming. He appeared to read the record and returned it, signed, at l0.03pm.

At about l0.30am on Tuesday, 22nd May, 1990, I met Mr Ray Ming, the brother of Thaddeus Ming. I recorded a witness statement from Mr Ray Ming which was concluded at 12.O3pm.

At about 7pm on Tuesday, 22nd May, 1990, I attended number 8, McGalls Hill Court, Smiths, in company with Detective Sergeant Arnfield, where I saw Mrs Marie Jones, a part owner of the property.

I recorded a witness statement from Mrs Jones which was concluded at 8.O5pm.

52

At 9.5Opm the same day I attended the Royal Viking Star cruise ship, Front Street, where I obtained a witness statement from the Chief Purser, Signe Bjorndal.

At l0.33pm the statement was concluded.

At 3.4Opm on Wednesday, 23rd May, 1990, I attended the offices of Bermuda Travel on Reid Street in company with Detective Sergeant Arnfield. I obtained a witness statement from Mrs Wendy Robinson, the Cruise Consultant, this statement was concluded at 4..45pm.

At 11.3Oam on Tuesday, 29th May, 1990, I attended 15 Georges Bay Road, Sandys in company with Detective Sergeant Arnfield. I obtained from Mrs Pamela James, the part owner of Warwick Video, a witness statement.

This statement was concluded at 12.O8pm.

At 4.3Opm on Wednesday, 30th May, 1990, I handed to Detective Sergeant Cassidy the roll of 35mm film seized from Angela Trapasso’s camera.

At 3.lOpm on Tuesday, 5th June, 1990, I attended the main house, upper section, of "Windy Cottages", South Shore Road, Southampton, where I met with the owner of the premises, Mrs lanthe James. I obtained from Mrs James awitness statement which was concluded at 3.45pm.

At 9.OSam on Wednesday, 6th June, 1990, I met with Mrs Juliette Smith, the ex-wife of Colin Smith, and recorded from her a witness statement, this statement was concluded at l0.25am.

53

At 3.22pm on Thursday, 7th June, 1990, I attended the Mermaid Beach Hotel, where I met a Front Desk Receptionist Miss Jennifer Raynor. I obtained from Miss Raynor a witness statement which was concluded at 3.40pm. I also obtained four (4) documents which I stamped 130001 to 130004 inclusive.

At 4pm on Thursday, 7th June, 1990, I attend The Sonesta Beach Hotel where I met with the Front Desk Manager, Miss Sabine Schroder. I obtained from Miss Schroder a witness statement which was concluded at 4.25pm. I also obtained three (3) documents which I stamped 140001 to 140003 inclusive.

On Thursday, 7th June, 1990, I met with Mr Bill Pratt the manager of Oleander Cycles and obtained from him a witness statement which he signed at about 5.OOpm.

At 5.O3pm the same day, at Oleander Cycles I met with Mrs Lavita Richardson, the cashier and receptionist. I obtained from Mrs Richardson a witness statement which was concluded at 5.25pm.

At li.47am on Friday, 8th June, 1990, I attended Hamilton Police Station in company with Detective Sergeant 21 officer2, where I saw a man who I know as Murray Beveridge in company with Attorney, Mr Moniz.

I said, "Mr Beveridge, this is Detective Sergeant officer2 and I am Detective Constable Swift of the Bermuda Police Narcotics Department. We will be interviewing you in relation to your arrest today for conspiracy to import the controlled drug cocaine. With regard to this you are not are not obliged to say anything unless you wish to do so but what

54

you say may be put into writing and given in evidence. Do you understand this?".

Beveridge said, "Yes".

I said, "With regard to this matter do you wish to make a statement, it will be written down?".

Beveridge said, "A very brief one, yes".

I said, "Do you wish to write it yourself?".

Beveridge said; "Yes".

At 1l.53am Beveridge wrote the following caption; I Murray S Beveridge wish to make a statement. I have been told that I need not say anything unless I wish to do so, and that what I say may be taken down in writing and given in evidence.

Beveridge then wrote his own statement which was concluded at 12.O4pm and which he signed.

At 12.O4pm, Friday, 8th June, 1990, I said to Beveridge, "Mr Beveridge, I wish to put some questions to you in connection with the offence for which you were arrested, namely conspiracy to import the controlled drug cocaine. You are not obliged to answer any of my questions unless you wish to do so, but if you do the questions and answers will be taken down in writing and maybe given in evidence. Do you undersand this.

Beveridge said, "Yes

I then put to Beveridge a series of questions which I recorded along with his replies.

The record was concluded at 12.42pm and Beveridge signed it.

55

At 12.35pm on Monday, 11th June, 1990, I met Mr Paul Cox at the Barber Shop, Walker Arcade, and recorded a witness statement from him which concluded at 1.OOpm.

At 8.OOpm on Monday, 11th June, 1990, I attended Warwick Video, Middle Road, Warwick, where I met with a member of the staff, Mrs Carole Lightbourne. I obtained from Mrs Lightbourne a witness statement which was concluded at 8.06pm.

I then recorded a witness statement from the co-owner of the premises, Mrs Annie Burrows, this statement was concluded at 8.35pm.

At 11.5Oam on Tuesday, 26th June, 1990, I met with Mr Ian Baxter the security officer aboard the Royal Viking Star Cruiseship, and obtained from him a witness statement which was concluded a short while later.

On Wednesday, 18th July, 1990, I obtained from Woman Police Constable 713 Shacolbi Smith a witness statement.