Mahendra Ramsuchit and Robhina Basdeoram, who were charged with attempting to smuggle cocaine through the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) two years ago, were yesterday found guilty of narcotics trafficking, while a former ministerial aide, who was charged with aiding and abetting them, was found not guilty.
Magistrate Judy Latchman yesterday handed down 60-month sentences to Ramsuchit, of Rose Hall, East Canje, Berbice and Basdeoram, a Canadian national, who were found with 10.392 kilogrammes and 10.968 kilogrammes of cocaine, respectively, in their suitcases and laptop bags, on January 30, 2015, at the CJIA.
In addition to their sentences, Ramsuchit and Basdeoram were fined $28,058,400 and $29,613,600, respectively, which was three times the street value of the drugs they had in their possession.
During her ruling yesterday morning, Magistrate Latchman told the court that the prosecution was able to prove that the couple had physical control and possession of the narcotics at the airport. She posited that the case against the couple was strong and the court relied heavily upon the evidence given by the credible witnesses who testified.
Magistrate Latchman said that she was convinced, beyond a reasonable doubt, that Ramsuchit and Basdeoram trafficked a quantity of cocaine based on the evidence that was presented and therefore she found them guilty of the offence.
Meanwhile, in the case against Kenroy Joseph, who was charged with aiding and abetting Ramsuchit and Basdeoram to traffic 21.360 kilogrammes of cocaine, the magistrate said that the prosecutor failed to make a case against the man. Latchman said that there was no evidence to suggest that the three defendants hatched a plan and conspired together to traffic the narcotics.
At the time, Joseph was a personal assistant to former minister within the Ministry of Agriculture Ali Baksh. It was the police’s case that he helped the couple to pass through the VIP lounge of the airport by presenting forged documents from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Airport Duty Office indicating that he was carrying out protocol duties for Ramsuchit and Basdeoram. The magistrate posited that defence attorney George Thomas did a good job defending his client.
Joseph, who was supported by family members in court, dropped to the floor in tears as the magistrate announced that there was insufficient evidence in the case against him and that she had found him not guilty.
Joseph, however, is still facing a charge that he allegedly uttered forged documents in relation to the matter. Latchman told the prosecutor that she will be recusing herself from handling the matter since she has heard evidence pertaining to it during the trial. As a result, the matter was transferred to the Chief Magistrate’s court for assignment.
