Two former Air Conditioning (AC) technicians of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) were on Monday jailed for four years and fined in excess of $17 million each by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, after they were found guilty in relation to a 2015 drug bust at the Airport.
The men, Lorrick Williams, 25, and Chris Douglas had attempted to export three bottles of El Dorado 5-year rum laced with cocaine on May 29, 2015.
They first appeared in court on June 1, 2015 along with the alleged mastermind of the crime, Kean Brewster, all charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking .
They had a total of 6.304 kilograms of cocaine.
At the time of the bust, both Williams and Douglas worked at the Airport as AC technicians.
It is reported that they gave Brewster three bottles of El Dorado 5 year rum laced with cocaine to take to the United States of America. The transaction had allegedly taken place in the washroom area of the Airport.
During check-in, Brewster was searched when the rum looked unusually thick.
The contents of the bottles were tested and found to be cocaine.
Brewster subsequently admitted that he intended to traffic the illegal substance to the US, before he pointed out the other two accused, as the persons who gave him the bottles.
The prosecution further informed the Court that footage from the Airport’s security cameras showed the three men entering the washroom. It was also stated that the defendants admitted they were paid various sums of cash to play their part in the drug deal.
Both Williams and Douglas maintained their innocence, up until their sentencing.
