A minibus driver was refused bail yesterday when he appeared at a city court after he was allegedly caught with over two kilos of cocaine concealed in the soles of nine pairs of boots in his luggage at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri (CJIA).
Timehri resident Anthony Solomon pleaded not guilty to the charge of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking after it was read to him by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.
The charge states that on October 30, at the CJIA, Solomon had in his possession 2.19 kilogrammes of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.
At the time of his arrest, Solomon was said to be an outgoing passenger at the airport. Officers, however, discovered the cocaine in the soles of nine pairs of boots, which were packed in his suitcase.
Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) prosecutor Oswald Massiah told the court that investigations into the matter are not yet completed.
The unrepresented Solomon, when asked whether he was ever charged before, responded in the affirmative. He mentioned that break and enter and simple larceny charges were made out against him but noted that he was never previously convicted.
He was remanded to prison and was ordered to return to the Providence Magistrate’s Court on November 3.
