A wanted man and his wife appeared in the Cove and John Magistrate’s Court yesterday charged over the cocaine in photo albums discovered on a Delta passenger at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri two Sundays ago.
Rawle Drepaul, who police had issued a wanted bulletin for, and Michelle Drepaul both of Bee Hive, East Coast Demerara were remanded to prison by Magistrate Sherdel Issacs-Marcus after they denied the possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking charge.
The two have been charged jointly with the passenger, Yvonne Caesar who appeared in the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court last Thursday. However, Caesar a US-based Guyanese was not present in court yesterday when the charge was read. She had been remanded to prison by Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson but her lawyer Glenn Hanoman secured bail in the sum of $100,000 in the High Court the following day.
It is alleged that on January 25, the trio had 245 grammes of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.
At yesterday’s court appearance the couple was represented by attorney-at-law Vic Puran who in his submissions told the court that it ought not to deal with the matter since his clients are in unlawful custody, a violation of their constitutional right.
He told the court that it cannot condone illegality on the part of the police.
His clients were in police custody since last Thursday, more than the stipulated 72 hours allowed by the law.
The magistrate however ruled that not withstanding his submissions, she would still proceed to read the charge. She also refused his bail application for the two.
The state was represented by police prosecutor Edmond Cooper.
The case will continue on February 25.
Caesar who was on her way to the US was nabbed with the cocaine in two photo albums as she was preparing to board her flight.
Days later, police issued a wanted bulletin for Drepaul. He was found in a Mahaica house the following day after ranks acted on a tip-off.
Police subsequently issued a wanted bulletin for a second man, Andrew Yhap, in connection with the discovery.
He has not yet been apprehended.
Yhap is 31 years old and his last known address is Lot 3727 Christian Street, North Ruimveldt, Georgetown. He is of medium build and is 5’ 4” tall.
Anyone with information that could lead to his arrest is asked to contact the police. All information will be treated in strict confidence, the bulletin added.