– accused recruiter on $2M bail
Five United States citizens, allegedly busted at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri (CJIA) while trying to smuggle cocaine out of the country, were yesterday arraigned on drug charges at the Providence Magistrate’s Court.
The two men and three women were read separate charges when they were brought before Magistrate Leslie Sobers, who only granted bail to registered nurse Dawn Sunara, 56, of 506 New Jersey Ave, Brooklyn, New York, who is accused of procuring the others to transport the illegal substances.
The others, charged with possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking, were Gregory Hoyte, 20, of 157-18 7th Avenue, Queens, New York; Adrian Roberts, 38, of 1450 David’s Boulevard, Queens, New York; assistant nurse Melissa Geria, 25, of 148-17 Brookville Boulevard, Queens, New York; and journalism student Shaniqua Johnson, 19, of 2190 Schenectady Ave, Brooklyn, New York.
It is alleged that on October 12, Hoyte had in his possession 745 grammes of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. Roberts is alleged to have had 675 grammes of cocaine in his possession for the purpose of trafficking.
Geria is alleged to have had in her possession 490 grammes of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. And Johnson is alleged to have had 365 grammes of cocaine in her possession for the purpose of trafficking.
All five were booked to travel on a Delta Airlines flight bound for the JFK Airport, in New York when cocaine was allegedly found on the person of four of the accused during a random pat down. The cocaine, concealed in condoms, were said to be hidden in their crotches.
Attorney Adrian Thompson, who represented Sunara, explained that nothing was found on his client. He added that her passport has already been lodged with the police and she does not pose a flight risk.
The prosecution had no objections to bail and the magistrate fixed the amount at $2 million and set November 20 for her next court date, when the case will be called for reports and fixtures.
Hoyte’s lawyer, Neil Bollers, said his client had no previous or pending matters before the court and requested an early trial date for commencement. The magistrate remanded Hoyte and set his next court date for October 29.
Attorney Mark Waldron, who represented Roberts, told the court that his client is a father of two, who came to the country for a wedding. He added that Roberts is also a diabetic and needs a daily dose of insulin.
Waldron further said that Roberts told him that the police offered him a plea bargain deal if he confessed in a signed statement.
However, Magistrate Sobers noted that such a deal can only be done by the Director of Public Prose-cutions’ Office, with the police not having the authority to perform such duties.
He also explained to the accused that the Laws of Guyana state that anyone caught with narcotics in their possession shall not be permitted bail, except for special reasons pertaining to the charge. “The fact that he is a diabetic is not a special reason for bail,” he said.
As a result, Roberts was remanded to prison until November 5, when his trial is expected to start.
Like Waldron, attorney George Thomas, who represented Geria, said she too was offered a plea bargain if she confessed. Thomas also said the case against his client is as a result of trickery.
Magistrate Bollers again reminded that only the DPP has the permission to conduct a plea bargain deal.
Thomas appealed to the magistrate for an early trial date and she was later remanded to prison until November 7.
Thomas also made an appearance for Johnson, whom he said was tricked by the police to sign a caution statement. He further stated that she had no previous or pending matter before the court. The magistrate then remanded her prison until November 9. Both women were said to have travelled here to visit relatives.
