[www.inewsguyana.com] – Dhanmattie ‘Lalita’ Persaud of Grass Field Lusignaan, East Coast of Demerara was on Monday (December 9) refused bail by Chief Magistrate Priya-Sewnarine- Beharry for trafficking cocaine.
The 37-year-old defendant pleaded not guilty to the offence which alleged that on Saturday, November 30 at Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri she had in her possession 12.330 kilogrammes of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.
Customs Anti Narcotic Unit (CANU) Prosecutor Oswald Messiah told the Court that the defendant has been engaged in shipping vegetables and fruits to Canada for some-time now.
He added that during the month of November Persaud made arrangements to export vegetables to Canada which included squash from Bourda market and Boulanger from East Coast of Demerara and Berbice.
The prosecutor noted that at Timehri CANU officers decided to do 100% checks on the boxes. Messiah said when the officer held the first Boulanger, the top fell off and further observation revealed that the illegal substance replaced the pulp.
The vegetables were then brought to CANU and an investigation was conducted. CANU officers headed to the defendant’s home but could not find her there. He said five days later after a wanted bulletin was issued, she was brought in by her Attorney Rexford Jackson.
Bail was refused and the matter was put off until December 11,
