Shellon Barrow and Latoya Griffith, who were charged over a plot to traffic almost four pounds of cocaine, will have to lead their defence to the charge after a court found that a prima facie case was made out against them.
Barrow, a vendor of 135 Victoria Street, Albouystown, and Griffith, a hairdresser of Lot 38 Norton Street, Georgetown are currently on trial before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty in Georgetown.
Barrow was charged with trafficking 1.638 kilogrammes (equivalent to 3.6 pounds) of cocaine on September 15th at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri, while Griffith, 37, was alleged to have aided Barrow to traffic 1.638 kilogrammes of cocaine between Septem-ber 14th and September 15th at Sunset Hotel, Kitty.
When the trial proceedings continued yesterday, Magistrate McGusty noted that the attorney representing Barrow previously made a no-case submission, saying that the prosecution failed to prove one aspect of the case: that Barrow had knowledge of the drugs.
Magistrate McGusty noted, however, that based on the evidence presented to the court, at the time the event was transacted there were circumstances to imply knowledge. The magistrate noted that from Barrow’s statements, it was no normal transaction since someone offered to buy her ticket to Jamaica for her to go and work and the person wanted to keep her passport, among other things. It was stated that there are certain suspicious circumstances in the matter and as a result she must be called upon to lead her defence.
The magistrate also noted that Griffith will also have to lead her defence to the charge.
The matter was subsequently adjourned until October 17th.
