The Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) yesterday signaled a decision to appeal the High Court’s order that $9 million seized from convicted drug trafficker Barry Dataram be returned to his brother, Troy Dataram.
Magistrate Judy Latchman, who is hearing a separate application by the DPP, was told of the decision yesterday by the DPP’s representative Dionne McCammon. The matter was subsequently adjourned to sometime in September.
Last week, the court was made aware of Chief Justice Roxane George’s ruling last month to have the money returned.
The $9 million was seized by Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) officials during a search conducted on the home of Troy Dataram on February 18, 2016. On November 16, 2016, the DPP made an application to Magistrate Latchman to forfeit the money.
During the months that followed, the Datarams’ attorney, Glenn Hanoman, argued that the Magistrate’s Court had no power to forfeit funds and that the matter should be before the High Court.
