United States-based Guyanese Haslyn Thom, who was found with over three pounds of cocaine at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri on Saturday, was yesterday sentenced to three years in jail and fined $4.1 million for drug trafficking.
Thom was brought before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and read a charge which stated that he, on January 14 at the CJIA, had in his possession 1.544 kg (equivalent to 3.4 pounds) of cocaine.
Thom, 46, pleaded guilty.
According to Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) prosecutor Konyo Sandiford, on the day in question, Thom was booked as an outgoing passenger on a Dynamic Airlines flight to JFK, New York. The prosecutor said he checked in, his suitcase was tagged and he then proceeded to the scanner, where he placed his suitcase along with his carry-on.
A CANU officer, attached to the CJIA, noticed two suspicious images on the screen which caused him to identify himself to Thom and inquire if the carry-on belonged to him. Thom responded in the affirmative. He also answered yes when asked if he packed the suitcase himself and if the contents were his.
Sandiford said Thomโs suitcases were then emptied and an incision was made into the walls of the carry-on with a probe, which caused a whitish substance to show. A test was then conducted on the whitish substance and the defendant was told of the CANU officerโs suspicion that cocaine was in the walls of his carry-on.
Thom was then cautioned and later admitted that he bought the cocaine for US$4,000.
The defendant and his luggage were then taken to the CANU headquarters, where the substance was extracted from the suitcase. It was contained in two clear plastic parcels. They were then weighed and samples were extracted.
Attorney George Thomas, who appeared on behalf of Thom, told the court that his client is a contractor and resides at Lot 4 Vlissengen Road. He further stated that his client has a medical problem and is in need of surgery.
The defendant was later sentenced by the Chief Magistrate to three years in jail and fined $4,168,800.
