A former casher assigned to the Ministry of National Security who allegedly misappropriated more than $700,000 has been granted bail in the amount of $450,000.

According to a police media release Monday, on July 24, 2025, officers of the Fraud Squad arrested Kavita Maharaj, a former cashier assigned to the Ministry of National Security, Temple Court, Abercromby Street, Port of Spain. Maharaj had reportedly been absent from duty since 2024 and had not been formally suspended at the time of the alleged offences, the release reported.

Her duties included the collection of cash payments for services such as work permits and the remittance of those funds to the Ministry. An internal audit conducted by the Ministry revealed discrepancies in financial records between January 2023 and September 2023.