– court hears
Malcolm Sonaram, a customs broker accused of trying to smuggle cannabis out of the country in pumpkins, was yesterday remanded to prison after being arraigned on a narcotics trafficking charge.
Sonaram, 38, of 188 Garnett Street, Albouystown, pleaded not guilty after the possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking charge was read by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.
It is alleged that between December 20, 2011 and January 10, 2012, at the GNIC wharf, officials discovered 19.93 kilogrammes of cannabis in pumpkins which were to be exported.
Prosecutor Winneth Hubbard said that in the period, police received certain information and proceeded to perform a search on a number of containers, which led to the discovery of pumpkins that had leaves and stems within them suspected to be cannabis.
Hubbard further stated that an investigation was launched and Sonaram was held.
Attorney Sanjeev Datadin, who represented Sonaram, said that his client has been a broker for the last decade and had processed documents both for imports and exports. At the same time, Datadin stressed that Sonaram was not responsible for handling cargo.
In seeking bail he noted that the father of four is currently suffering from a severe ankle injury from a cycling accident, which requires physiotherapy. In addition, he noted that he had attended Police Headquarters nine times and had lodged his passport with the relevant authorities.
The Chief Magistrate, however, refused bail for Sonaram and the case was adjourned until today, when it will be called for statements.
