Sentencing was on Tuesday deferred for Loaknauth Persaud, one of the men busted by the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) last week for attempting to smuggle out 6.28 kilogrammes (kg) of cocaine which was concealed in two bowls of curry. The other, Manzil Ali has been remanded to prison.
The 36-year-old Persaud of Parika Backdam, East Bank Essequibo, was arraigned at the Diamond Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Judy Latchman where he pleaded guilty to the charge which states that on October 7 at CJIA, he trafficked narcotics, that is to say 6.28 kg. Sentencing was then deferred until October 31, 2022.
Meanwhile, Ali, also called John Ali, 43, of Section C, ‘D’ Field, Sophia, Georgetown, had appeared in the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan where he pleaded not guilty to the said charge. Bail was however refused and Ali was remanded to prison.
Ali will make his next court appearance on November 3rd when the matter will be called again for disclosure.
A press release issued by CANU stated that on the aforementioned date, CANU officers had intercepted a male passenger who was identified as Persaud at the CJIA, and who was about to travel on Jet Blue Airways, flight B61966 which was destined for the John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
A search was then conducted on the man’s suitcase which led to the discovery a white substance suspected to be cocaine which was concealed in two bowls with curry. Persaud was arrested and escorted to CANU headquarters with the suspected narcotics.
At the headquarters, the suspected narcotics tested positive for cocaine and weighed a total of 6.28 kg or approximately 13.8 pounds, with a street value of approximately $6.3 million (US$31,000).
CANU said that a further investigation then led to the arrest of Ali.
