A 25-year-old porter was today sentenced to three years behind bars after being found guilty of trafficking 2.740 kilograms of cocaine and 22 kilograms of marijuana.
The sentencing was handed down by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
Meanwhile, his accomplice, 45-year-old Christopher Garraway, of Norton St, Lodge was freed of the charges.
It was alleged that on January 16, 2020, at John Fernandes Container Terminal Road, Back Road, West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Garraway supplied to Chester 22 kilograms of marijuana and 2.740 kilograms of cocaine.
The last charge stated that on the same day and at the same location, Chester trafficked 22 kilograms of marijuana and 2.740 kilograms of cocaine. Both men had denied the charges after they were read to them by the magistrate.
On the day in question, the men were on their way to Berbice with a rice fertilizer truck, when it was intercepted by the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) ranks. The truck they were driving was searched and a large quantity of narcotics was found.
Chester was found guilty due to his incriminating statement whereby he told Custom Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) officers that he collected the salt bags containing the drugs and loaded them on to the truck for them to be taken to the Berbice Bridge where they would be collected. He was represented by Attorney at Law, Ms. Amora Giddings.
Throughout the trial, CANU led evidence in court that Garraway was video recorded at the scene after the handover of the drugs to Chester. They led evidence that an identification parade was done where Garraway was pointed out and also led evidence that at least 2 others saw him at the scene.
However, the court found that Mr. Christopher Garraway was not properly identified as the provider of the drugs. After submissions and objections by Garraway’s attorney, Mr. Siand Dhurjon, the court found the evidence presented by CANU to be unreliable. The court found that the CANU rank who testified that he had Garraway under surveillance before on other operations could not be relied upon due to the inconsistencies and suspicions raised in cross-examination done by Mr. Dhurjon.
Facts presented by CANU Prosecutor, Narissa Leander stated that on the day in question, ranks acting on information, intercepted the truck at the Back Road, West Ruimveldt which was destined for Berbice.
A search was carried out and a quantity of marijuana and cocaine was hidden in two white salt bags. The men were then arrested and taken into custody.
