Port of Spain detectives raided 'an alleged obeah stronghold at Petit Bourg in San Juan' yesterday. They arrested Daniel Young, a 'tall, black, middleaged native of St. Vincent, on a charge of obtaining money by the assumption of supernatural powers.'

'Hid away in the heart of a lonely area, with nothing around but dense foliage and guarded by several fierce dogs, Young lived in a small cottage.' The raid was carried out by Detective Lance Corporals Babb, King, Noreiga (sic) and Constable Nicholls. They used an 'East Indian woman' as a decoy. When she was inside they approached the house with difficulty due to darkness and dogs barking 'but when they got in they surprised Young in the act of exorcising an evil spirit which was troubling the woman-decoy. He was doing this with a quatro and guitar, sitting before a quantity of lighted candles resting on a book.'

A search revealed 'several bottles of red liquid, one of which had been given to the woman decoy as soucoyants blood, the Sixth Book of Moses, the 6th and 7th Books of Moses, a copy of the Bible and innumerable letters addressed, some to Mr Young, others to Brother Young, and many to Dear Young. The letters are from all parts of the colony, from persons of every walk of life, all thanking Young for the good work he had done for them. The majority are from the oilfields, and in these were mentioned the names of office and field managers whose favour the writers desired Young to obtain for them. A most important one was that from a schoolteacher, requesting his aid to make the Director of Education or his assistant, give him a school, not further out of town than San Juan.'

All this material along with beads and other items were seized. Young was brought to Constabulary headquarters, where he was charged. He will appear before City Magistrate today.