The 14-year-old, in whose suitcase handles police found cocaine at the Cheddi Jagan Inter-national Airport (CJIA), Timehri yesterday testified that accused Cora Towler had admitted that she had full knowledge of what was in the luggage.
Towler is on trial alongside Ian Griffith for the alleged possession of 1.004 kilogrammes cocaine for trafficking.
On August 26, while waiting for his flight to New York, the teen was held at CJIA by ranks of the Police Narcotics Branch, who uncovered the cocaine in the handles of his suitcase.
The 14-year-old took the witness stand in a city court yesterday and he was guided in presenting his evidence by Police Prosecutor Bharat Mangru.
In his testimony, the boy stated that on August 25, he saw Towler and another person pack two red suitcases that he later learnt he would be travelling with.
He then stated that on August 26, he was taken to the airport by Towler and two other individuals.
According to the boy, it was after he placed his suitcases in the scanner that he was approached by men who requested that the bags be scanned again, which then led to narcotics being found in the two bags.
The court heard that subsequent to this being found, he was told that he along with his cousin, who was with him at the time, were under arrest.
He said upon observing the commotion, Towler, who was outside of the airport, went inside and asked what was going on and all three of them were held for questioning and then taken to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID)
It was while they were at CID that he said he heard Towler tell the police that she had full knowledge of what was in the suitcase and that a man the boy knows as “Black Boy” gave her the bags.
In the absence of her attorney, Adrian Thompson, Towler opted to cross-examine the boy herself.
She, however, became frustrated when she suggested to him that he did not hear her say anything about knowing what was in the suitcases and that all he heard was her telling the officers her name and where she lived.
He, however, maintained that he heard her make the statement and also say where the police could find “Black Boy.”
Towler then accused the child of being rude and refusing to answer her with respect or even answer her questions.
The matter was subsequently adjourned by Magistrate Leron Daly after Towler was unable to compose herself and ask questions.
The matter is expected to be called again today, when the boy will be further cross-examined by Towler’s attorney.
