Safraz Jalallodeen, the man who was busted on Thursday at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri, with over 10 pounds of cocaine hidden in powdered milk, was yesterday sentenced to four years in jail and fined over $16M after admitting to attempting to smuggle the drug.
Jalallodeen, 30, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, where he pleaded guilty to possession of 6.048 kilogrammes of cocaine for trafficking.
According to CANU prosecutor Konyo Sandiford-Thompson, on May 19th, Jalallodeen was an outgoing passenger checked in to travel on Caribbean Airlines flight BW526 destined for JFK International Airport. She said Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) officers, attached to the CJIA, acting on information received, conducted a search on two suitcases checked in by the defendant and both suitcases were found to have large Kerrygold Full Cream Milk packages, which, after examination, were found to contain cocaine.
The prosecution further stated that Jalallodeen was told of the offence, arrested and cautioned by ranks but made several oral statements under caution, claiming he was given the drugs to take to the United States, for which he was promised US$7,000.
The prosecutor advised the court that Jalallodeen gave a lengthy statement that assisted CANU to further its investigation.
When asked by the Chief Magistrate if he had anything to say based on what was presented by the prosecutor, the defendant opted against saying anything.
He was subsequently sentenced to four years and fined $16,329,600.
