An arrest warrant was today issued for self-professed drug lord Barry Dataram and his common-law wife Anjanie Boodnarine after they were a no-show at a hearing scheduled for a ruling on whether they have to lead a defence in their trial for the alleged possession of 284 lbs of cocaine.
Dataram, Boodnarine, Kevin Charran, and Trevor Gouveia are currently on trial for possession of 129.230 kilogrammes of cocaine (equivalent to 284 pounds) that were found on April 16, 2015 at the Lot 661 Silver Dam, Fourth Avenue, Diamond Housing Scheme house owned by Dataram.
Magistrate Judy Latchman issued an arrest warrant for both Dataram and Boodnarine after they did not appear in court when the matter was called today.
Attorney Glenn Hanoman, when asked why the two defendants were not in court, stated that he was unsure what was taking place.
He added that he had called Dataram’s phone and someone answered claiming to be his aunt. When he asked about the whereabouts of his client, he said the woman asked him what was the decision in the case but before he could respond the call was disconnected.
Magistrate Latchman subsequently issued an arrest warrant for Dataram and Boodnarine and proceeded to sternly warn Charran and Gouveia that if they were absent on the next occasion, arrest warrants would be issued and not recalled.
Last Friday, submissions were made by both Hanoman and Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit prosecutor Konyo Sandiford-Thompson and a decision was expected to be made as to whether a prima facie case has been made out against the defendants to have them give evidence as it relates to the case.
As a result of the absence of the two defendants, the ruling was deferred by the Magistrate until September 23.
