The four men arraigned on drug trafficking charges stemming from the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) cocaine bust in Berbice reappeared in court yesterday and were all further remanded to prison by acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine–Beharry.
Canada-based Guyanese Narayan Jarbandhan, 40, Salim Bacchus, 49, Gary Belgrave, 52, and Leo Hernandez, 44, were remanded until November 17, when they will appear at the Springlands Magistrates’ Court.
According to the particulars of the charge, on November 3 at Line Path, Skeldon, Corentyne, Berbice, the four had in their possession 41.856 kilogrammes (approximately 82 pounds) of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.
The attorney representing Bacchus said that all of the men were arrested at the same time but his client was charged separately. He also related that while his client was in custody of CANU officers, he had US$19,000 in his possession which was allegedly stolen by the said officers.
“I hope that CANU returns this money, and if they say they don’t have the money, I will report the matter to the police,” he said. According to the attorney, the defendants were tortured by the CANU officers and he pointed out that there are marks and lacerations on their bodies.
After listening to the concerns, the magistrate said that she will endorse each of the warrants, and subsequently questioned Oswald Massiah, the CANU prosecutor, about whether he had any knowledge of the allegations made by the attorney. Massiah replied, “It is the first time I am hearing this… but the counsel is giving the court the impression that he has personal knowledge of the CANU officials beating up the men.”
The quartet, who pleaded not guilty to the charge, was further remanded to prison.
According to reports, the persons arrested were about to drop off the drugs when CANU officers moved in on them. The drugs were reportedly in 40-1 kg parcels stashed in two bags and it appeared that they were destined for Suriname.
Jarbandhan, the court heard, had been convicted on a similar drug charge a year ago and was out on bail pending an appeal.
