5 years jail, $49M fine for US citizen busted with cocaine at CJIA

The 28 – year – old defendant pleaded guilty to the charge, which stated that on December 05 at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri, East Bank Demerara, he had in his possession approximately 40 pounds of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

The Court heard that on the day in question around 09:35 hrs, the defendant was an outgoing passenger with Dynamic Airways destined to JFK Airport, New York.

When his suitcase was placed on the conveyer belt, a strange image emerged. Customs Anti Narcotics Ranks opened the suitcase and conducted a search in the presence of the defendant and the suspected cocaine was found in seven packets of Champion Baking Powder and five packets of Champion Custard Powder.

LeFleming was unrepresented.