A Jamaican national who allegedly tried to leave Guyana with a quantity of cocaine through the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri was yesterday charged in a city court.
Richard Daniels pleaded not guilty to a charge which alleges that on January 5, at Timehri, he had in his possession 1.626 kg of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.
Prosecutor Michael Grant objected to bail stating that the defendant is not Guyanese and will likely not return for trial if released on bail. The prosecutor also mentioned the seriousness of the offence which requires a special reason for pretrial liberty to be granted.
The police stated that on the day in question at about 22:05 hrs, narcotics officers from Eve Leary were on an exercise at the CJIA when they observed Daniels who was an outgoing passenger on a Fly Jamaica flight, acting in a suspicious manner. This prompted the officers to question Daniels and they subsequently carried out a search in his suitcase.
The cocaine, which was pellet shaped and wrapped in silver paper was found in two lotion bottles and socks.
Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry upheld the prosecution’s objections and Daniels was remanded to prison until January 20, when he will again appear at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, in Court 3.
Crime Chief Leslie James had told Stabroek News on Tuesday that the Jamaican was scheduled to leave Guyana on a Fly Jamaica flight destined for Canada with a stop in Jamaica when he was busted at the CJIA.
