A seafood trader was yesterday charged over the more than 100 pounds of cocaine found concealed in crates of shrimp due for export at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri on Sunday.
Mohammed Ali, 51, pleaded not guilty to the charge, which stated that on May 10, at Windsor Forest, West Coast Demerara, he had 51.626 kilogrammes (equivalent to 113.595 pounds) of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking in his possession.
Five men were taken into custody after the shipment was intercepted. It was reported to be destined for the JFK International Airport, in New York, after a stop at Trinidad and Tobago.
According to the police’s case, which was presented in open court, Ali allegedly sent two of his employees to transport 40 boxes of seafood to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport. However, they triggered suspicion among officers at the airport and a search was conducted on the boxes. The search unearthed the cocaine, which was concealed in the shrimp.
Ali was subsequently arrested.
Speaking on behalf of Ali, attorney Bernard Da Silva suggested that his client was only held because his name appeared on the document prepared for the shipment. However, he noted that the document was drawn up by a broker and not Ali. In addition, Da Silva pointed out that the boxes that were said to have contained the drugs were transported to the airport by other individuals.
As a result, he asked that Ali be granted reasonable bail. Further pressing his case, he also mentioned that Ali suffers from a heart condition
However, Prosecutor Bharat Mangru said Ali having a heart condition has nothing to do with the charge. Special reasons pertaining to the charge and not the accused are required for bail in such cases.
Mangru also said that even though the drugs were not found in Ali’s possession, he constructed the boxes which contained the shrimp and cocaine.
After listening to their submissions, Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry ordered that Ali be remanded to prison.
The case was subsequently transferred to the Leonora Magistrate’s Court for May 28.
