Local authorities are divided on the whereabouts of Barry Datram who is wanted for breaching the conditions of his bail stemming from an indictment in the US on drug charges. Another Guyanese wanted by the US, Terrence Sugrim, is meeting the conditions of his release.
Three months ago police issued a wanted bulletin for Datram after he failed to report to the Commissioner of Police twice weekly; in accordance with a High Court order. Some persons believe that he may have fled the jurisdiction; others believe his escape routes are too limited. To date the man has not been found.
A well-placed source told Stabroek News recently that he believes Datram is ‘lying low’ in Guyana because of his limited avenues for escape. The source ruled out Venezuela as a possible escape route noting the persons who kidnapped Datram’s wife Sheleza and three-year-old daughter came from that country. Police shot one kidnapper dead and another was subsequently charged. The case is currently before the court. The source also pointed out that the fact that businessman Shaheed Roger Khan was snatched by US authorities in Suriname; signalling cooperation between the two countries, would prevent Datram from even considering that country an escape option. Stabroek News also understands that Sheleza is no longer cooperating with the police.
On the other hand, other police sources have said that Datram has fled the jurisdiction in order to escape the clutches of the US authorities. One source contends that the court’s granting Datram bail presented a perfect opportunity for him to flee. Datram, a resident of Ruimzight Gardens, West Coast Demerara was arrested on a Provisional Warrant of Arrest pending extradition proceedings, requested by the US where he is indicted on drug related charges. However,
following three habeas corpus applications by his attorney Vic Puran, he was released when Justice Jainarayan Singh Jr ruled in the High Court that his detention was not lawful. As a result of the ruling the order granted by Justice Singh on December 13, 2007 that had set Datram free on $100,000 bail following an extended police arrest, still stood and Datram was freed.
On January 23, police issued a warrant for Datram after two occasions had passed and he did not present himself to the police commissioner as ordered. Police showed an interest in Datram after the kidnapping of his family was deemed to be drug-related. He was arrested and had been detained by police beyond the 72 hours that the law allows before a suspect is charged.
His lawyers had approached the court with a habeas corpus writ but police had asked for an extension to conclude their investigations into the kidnapping. Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards had ruled in favour of the extension. Subsequently, the man’s lawyers appealed her ruling before Justice Singh who released Datram on $100,000 bail. However, police said soon after bail was granted they had received a warrant from the US and Datram was rearrested. Twice, provisional arrest warrants were issued in the Magistrate’s Courts for Datram and both times Puran moved to the High Court to secure his release.
Sugrim
Meanwhile, Sugrim also called Roy Alvarez, another Guyanese wanted by US authorities to face trial for allegedly conspiring to traffic in narcotics, is reporting to the police. Stabroek News was told that the man has been meeting the conditions set out in his bail release stemming from gun charges last month. Sugrim, 43, of Lot 91 Parfait-Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, has been reporting to the police every Monday and Friday, as ordered. He was ordered to appear at the Wales Magistrate’s Court on May 15.
On April 17, Justice Singh released Sugrim on $1M bail in the High Court following a habeas corpus application by his legal team. Sugrim had been imprisoned after being committed to await extradition to the United States to face trial for allegedly conspiring to traffic in narcotics following an extradition hearing in the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court. From the application filed by his legal team in the High Court, Justice Singh found that many factual errors were made by the magistrate during the hearing and they were serious enough transgressions to render her rulings in relation to the committal unlawful and unfair.
Shortly after his release, police had rearrested Sugrim, on charges of illegal possession of guns and ammunition. He appeared before Principal Magistrate Melissa Robertson-Ogle the following day and was released on $1M bail. It is alleged that on June 28 also at the said place, Sugrim had in his possession two firearms, that is to say, one .32 Tarus Pistol (serial number FUH 83964) and a .32 Walter Pistol number 452067 without being the holder of a firearm licence. It is also alleged that on the same date and place, he had in his possession 75 rounds of .32 ammunition and 85 12-gauge cartridges without being the holder of a firearm licence. He pleaded not guilty to both charges.
Attorney-at-law Glen Hanoman in making a submission on Sugrim’s behalf had said that his client was previously charged with the same offences but the charges were withdrawn by the Director of Public Prosecutions. Sugrim had shared the charges with his reputed wife, Michelle Davis but after they were withdrawn against him, she faced them alone. She also faces a charge of harbouring a wanted man.
