THREE police officers are under investigation after $250,000 allegedly disappeared during a June 2026 search of the Claxton Bay home of a scrap iron dealer.Attorney Subhas Panday, who represents Akini Joseph, also known as “Mundo”, confirmed to the Express yesterday that hours after the Claxton Bay search of his home, Joseph’s relatives filed an official complaint with the Professional Standards Bureau (PSB).The PSB is tasked with investigating misconduct, corruption, and abuse of authority among officers in the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS).The complaint was made against a corporal and two constables who were part of the operation.Panday told the Express that officers of the Marabella Police Station arrived at Joseph’s residence on the evening of June 27 and indicated they were there to search for stolen brass.He said Joseph was not present when the officers arrived at his residence because he was attending a cricket match.According to Panday, Joseph was called by a relative during the search, and he told the relative to allow the officers to search the compound.During the search, Panday said, officers “chooked” the ceiling in one of the bedrooms and a five dollar bill fell from the ceiling to the floor. He said shortly after, at the corporal’s request, one of the police constables walked outside and got a ladder.“Inside the ceiling, they allegedly removed a box with bills in stacks of $50,000,” Panday said.Police sources alleged they obtained CCTV footage which showed one of the officers leaving the premises and putting money into his pockets. The Express has seen part of the footage.Sources also indicated they had obtained further information about the police activities on the compound.The police told Joseph’s relatives they found nothing illegal on the compound, investigators said.Panday stated when Joseph arrived, the cops were about to conclude their search when he was alerted by a relative that officers had allegedly taken money from the bedroom.He said Joseph confronted one of the officers, insisting that the money should be returned, and expressed his wish to contact his attorney. According to Panday, Joseph continued to protest and it was at that point that police officers detained him.“They detained him at the police station for a few days, claiming he was being held for threats. It wasn’t until Wednesday, July 1st, that he was asked by the corporal in question about the stolen brass, and it was during that questioning that my client reminded him about the money that had allegedly been taken from his home,” Panday added.On July 6, Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander signed a Preventive Detention Order (PDO) for Joseph based on intelligence reports alleging he was part of an Informal Crime Group(ICG).According to the notice, Joseph has been linked to the disposal of stolen items via his scrap metal business.It further claims he threatened police officers during a recent search of his residence and has been linked to firearm possession.Authorities reported that intelligence suggested Joseph’s group was preparing to escalate its operations, intensifying attacks on commercial premises.Panday stated that he subsequently submitted an application to review his client’s PDO and is still awaiting a date for the hearing before the Review Tribunal.“They are abusing the state of emergency and going into innocent people’s homes without search warrants. Authorities must take steps to prevent this kind of behaviour, they are taking advantage of innocent people,” said Panday.