Two Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) security guards were yesterday granted bail when they appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court charged with stealing cocaine.
Keon Dickie and Theon Ambrose were jointly charged after it was alleged that on April 16 at Homestretch Avenue they stole eight packets of cocaine, property of CANU.
According to the facts read, on the day in question, CANU had conducted a narcotic exercise in Diamond which resulted in the arrest of four persons. At the end of the bust, the substance found was lodged at CANU headquarters.
Superintendent of Police Stephen Telford further related that the eight missing packets were among 428 packets which were stored in a freezer at CANU. He told the court that Dickie was caught on camera heading in the direction of the freezer where the substance was stored and after some time elapsed he was seen returning with a bag in his hand, which allegedly contained the eight missing packets. Dickie then made his way to the gate, stopping to make conversation with Ambrose, who opened the gate for him to leave the compound. After some time elapsed Dickie returned to the compound minus the bag.
After realizing that the packets of cocaine were missing, police conducted an investigation which resulted in the men being held. However, they denied having any knowledge of the missing packets.
Speaking on behalf of Dickie, Attorney Latchmie Rahamat made an application for reasonable bail, arguing that the offence he was charged with was nothing more than simple larceny. In her application, Rahamat also stated that apart from a futile search conducted on her client’s home, the video footage on which the prosecution has based its accusation was unsubstantial to support the allegation.
Attorney Paul Fung-A-Fat who was retained by Ambrose also made a petition for bail on the grounds of his client being a father of 11 as well as having an unblemished record. However, Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry told Fung-A-Fat that those were not special reasons for his client to be granted bail.
Prosecutor Telford objected to bail on the grounds of the seriousness and prevalence of the offence adding that the two men failed to exercise their responsibility as security guards while employed by CANU.
After listening to the submissions made by both the defence and prosecution, Magistrate Sewnarine-Beharry granted bail in the sum of $350,000 for each of the accused.
Dickie and Ambrose are expected to return court on May 7.
