Cora Towler, charged over the cocaine found in a 14-year-old boy’s suitcase handles at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), was on Wednesday sentenced to three years in prison after deciding to plead guilty to a charge of possession of the drug for trafficking.
Towler, who was on trial for the alleged possession of 1.004 kg of cocaine for trafficking, was also fined $2.7 million.
The charge against her stated that on August 26th, at the CJIA, she had 1.004 kilogrammes of cocaine in her possession for the purposes of trafficking.
She had originally pleaded not guilty to the charge but changed her plea at the continuation of the trial on Wednesday after several articles were admitted into evidence. Magistrate Leron Daly subsequently handed down the sentence and fine.
During the trial, the 14-year-old had testified that Towler had admitted that she had full knowledge of what was in the luggage.
It was while waiting for his flight to New York that the teen was held at the CJIA by ranks of the Police Narcotics Branch, who uncovered the cocaine in the handles of his suitcase.
The 14-year-old had stated that on August 25th, he saw Towler and another person pack two red suitcases that he later learnt he would be travelling with. He stated that on August 26, he was taken to the airport by Towler and two other individuals.
According to the boy, after the cocaine was 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 he knew as “Black Boy” gave her the bags.
Towler, while cross-examining the boy, had suggested to him that he did not hear her say anything about knowing what was in the suitcase 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 was initially charged jointly with Ian Griffith for the crime but a decision was taken to try them separately. Griffith is still on trial.
