Billy Glasgow, Steve Reddy and Robin Singh, the three persons nabbed after cocaine and ganja was found aboard fishing boat MV Bismarck 2, were yesterday remanded to prison after being arraigned on drug trafficking charges at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
It was alleged that Glasgow and Reddy, on January 18, on the Bismarck 2, in the Demerara River, had in their possession 27.230 kilogrammes of cocaine and 103.974 grammes of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking. Further, it was alleged that at Houston, East Bank Demerara, Singh had 27.230 kilogrammes of cocaine in his possession for the purpose of trafficking.
The three men denied the charges when they were read to them by acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.
On Wednesday morning, Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) ranks along with the GDF Coastguard intercepted the Trinidad-bound fishing vessel with the drugs. Some time around 10am, on Wednesday, the boat was stopped by the law enforcement officials in the Demerara River as it was being prepared for departure. A source said that the drugs were discovered stashed in fish glue and pieces of equipment on board the vessel, which was under surveillance for some time as it was believed to have been used in the drug trade on several occasions.
Attorney Vic Puran, prosecuting for CANU, said that Glasgow, as the captain of the vessel, was the custodian and had control over the place in which the illegal substances were found.
Puran added that there was a witness that would testify that Reddy put the drugs on the vessel, while adding that Singh aided and abetted him in the commission of the offence and handed over the substance to him [Reddy] at Houston.
Attorney Glenn Hanoman, who represented Glasgow, made a request for an early trial date, given that bail is a remote possibility at this stage of the proceedings.
Meanwhile, attorney Peter Hugh, who represented the other two accused, said he wished the court to note that Reddy was severely beaten by CANU officers from the time he was picked up and taken into custody. In response, the Magistrate ordered that Reddy be medically examined.
The matters will be called again on February 7.
