[www.inewsguyana.com] – Forty – year old Charles Anderson of Enterprise, East Coast Demerara was placed before the court for trafficking narcotics. Anderson pleaded not guilty to the charge which read that between January 24 and 25, 2012 the accused had 20.056 kilograms of cocaine on his possession for the purpose of trafficking.
The Customs Anti Narcotic Unit (CANU) Prosecutor Oswald Messiah told the court that the accused has been an exporter for almost five years during which he would export provision, vegetables and fruits for several persons and himself.
It is alleged that on the date mentioned, the accused attempted to export a shipment of mangoes, pineapples and star apples which was heading for Canada. According to the CANU prosecutor; ranks from the unit conducted a search on the container which unearthed 20.056 kilograms of cocaine concealed in a quantity of hallowed star apples.
The prosecutor noted that the accused was arrested and told about the offense and admitted to having the items, claiming that he was given the illegal substance by someone else to export.
He noted too that the accused provided the officers with the necessary contact information which proved futile. The accused was further questioned and in response he told the ranks that he does not know the person’s name, telephone number or address of the person he has been doing business with. Attorney – at – law Mark Waldron represented the accused and told the court that the cocaine was found in a shipment out of the jurisdiction, adding that it has been almost a year and that his client has no intention of leaving the jurisdiction since he would have done so if he had wanted to.
Nevertheless, the Magistrate refused bail and remanded Charles Anderson to prison until October 14. [Royan Abrams]
