Tanasha Fleming, the American traveller held at the Cheddi Jagan airport with just over 40 pounds of cocaine stashed in baking and custard powders, will be spending the next five years in jail after pleading guilty to drug trafficking.
Fleming, who was booked to leave on a Dynamic Airways flight destined for the John F Kennedy (JFK) International Airport last Friday morning, was also fined $49,396,000, which represents three times the value of the cocaine.
The charge against Fleming, 28, of the United States Virgin Islands, stated that on December 5, at Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri, he had 18.295 kilogrammes of cocaine in his possession for the purpose of trafficking.
Fleming pleaded guilty to the charge when it was read to him by Magistrate Ann McLennan.
Prosecutor Deniro Jones told the court that at about 9.35 am last Friday, ranks from the Narcotics Branch were at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri, and spotted a strange image while scanning Fleming’s suitcase. It was subsequently searched and the suspected cocaine was found in seven packets of Champion baking powder and five packets of Champion custard powder. Fleming was later arrested.
“I accept it, My Worship,” was all the unrepresented Fleming told the court in relation to the offence.
He did, however, point out that US$300 along with $6,000 Guyana currency belonging to him was still in police custody and he wanted it to be returned to him. Since he has no relatives in this country, he agreed for it to be handed over to the representatives of the US Embassy, who were present in court yesterday.
