Richard Daniels, the Jamaican national who was held while trying to smuggle a quantity of cocaine out of Guyana concealed in lotion bottles and socks, was yesterday found guilty and was sentenced to five years in jail.
Daniels, 20, was charged with having 1.626 grammes of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, at Timehri, on January 5.
He had pleaded not guilty to the charge.However, a trial which was conducted by Magistrate Ann McLennan found that a prima facie case had been made out against him.
In addition to the fine, Daniels was also ordered to pay a fine of $3,418,200.
The police stated that on the day in question at about 10:05PM, 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, was wrapped in silver paper and was found in two lotion bottles and socks.
