Shafaur Alli, one of the two siblings charged with the discovery of cocaine in frozen fish at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), last year June, had the matter dismissed yesterday, after the prosecution failed to prove its case.
Alli, and his sister, Lazeena Imrazi were accused of being in possession of 9.444 kilogrammes of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking on June 8, at the CJIA.
Trial Magistrate Leron Daly when presenting her ruling, told the court that the prosecution’s main evidence was an oral statement made by the defendant. Alli is alleged to have told police, “Oh (expletive), officer, I owe people money.”
According to the Magistrate, in considering the oral statement made by the accused, the court had to decide whether or not the accused had possession, knowledge and intent in relation to the drugs.
The court also heard that based on the evidence presented, it was stated that the drugs were packed at a fish place on the East Bank Demerara, but the defendant was picked up from his home at Lot 11, La Jalousie, West Coast Demerara.
Based on the oral statement, the Magistrate noted that the case against the accused was not strong and subsequently dismissed the matter.
On August 8, 2016, Imrazi was also freed, after a no-case submission was upheld by Magistrate Daly.
The siblings were represented by attorney Bernard Da Silva.
