A Trinidadian national was yesterday sentenced to four years imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to trafficking in narcotics.
Hermon Jack pleaded guilty to being in possession of 550 grammes of cocaine at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Timehri, on March 31, for the purpose of trafficking. He was also fined $495,000 when he appeared before Magistrate Hazel Octave Hamilton. Earl Melville, who was charged with aiding and abetting Jack, was remanded after pleading not guilty.
The prosecutor said Jack was an outgoing passenger to London. At the airport, he complained of feeling unwell and went to a security officer, whom he told he had ingested cocaine pellets. He was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he excreted the pellets which amounted to 550 grams.
In his defence, Jack said that the drugs were given to him by someone and while he gave the person’s name to the police he was still charged.
Melville, charged with aiding and abetting Jack to commit the offence, pleaded not guilty. The prosecutor asked that Melville be remanded and the matter transferred to the Providence Magistrates’ Court. The case is due for a hearing on April 19 at Providence Court.