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Mar 07, 2017 Court Stories, Features / Columnists, News
…for coke in VIP Lounge at airport
The case surrounding the discovery of cocaine in the VIP Lounge at the Cheddi Jagan International
Airport (CJIA) wrapped up yesterday in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
Mahendra Ramsuchit, 29, of 18 Rosehall, East Canje, Berbice and Guyana-born Canadian citizen, Robhina Basdeoram were convicted for having a total 21.36 kg of cocaine in their possession for the purpose of trafficking on January 30, 2015. They were jailed for 60 months each and ordered to pay fines of $28M and $29M respectively.
Magistrate Judy Latchman informed the court that Police Prosecutor Vishnu Hunt was able to prove all elements of the offence. The Magistrate said that she disbelieved the stories narrated by the couple when they were called on to lead defences. Based on the evidence presented by Prosecutor Hunt, Magistrate Latchman said that she was satisfied the couple had physical control of the narcotic on the day in question.
The Magistrate added that she believed the substance they had in their possession was cocaine, since it was analyzed. According to Magistrate Latchman, Ramsuchit knew about the cocaine and the existence of a deal to transport it for money. Given the quantum of the drug, the Magistrate stated that the court believed beyond a reasonable doubt that the couple intended to traffic it.
Kenroy Joseph, a former personal assistant to a junior Minister of Agriculture, was charged with aiding and abetting the couple to traffic the cocaine. He reportedly presented a forged document
from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the airport deputy office, indicating that he was carrying out protocol duties for Ramsuchit and Basdeoram, who had claimed to be relatives of a government official.
However, Magistrate Latchman dismissed the charge against Joseph citing that there was insufficient evidence to convict him.
According to the Magistrate, while she believed that Joseph was at the airport on the day in question, there was no evidence to prove that he hatched a plan with the couple to smuggle the drugs.
Joseph still has to return to court on a charge of uttering a forged document.
When the Magistrate announced the not guilty verdict, Joseph dropped to his knees before being converged upon by relatives and friends who were present for the court hearing. He exited the court in smiles.
Meanwhile, the two convicts sat in disbelief holding hands.
Reports are that the couple was scheduled to depart from CJIA for Toronto, Canada via a Fly Jamaica flight. The discovery of the drug was made at the scanning point. It was there that a police rank from the Narcotics Branch spotted some ‘bricks’ that were concealed in their luggage.
The cocaine was found in all four pieces of luggage that was being carried by the two. Enveloped parcels containing cocaine were found stitched neatly into two laptop bags.
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