Trial of accused in frozen fish cocaine scheme begins
A Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) rank yesterday recounted the discovery of cocaine found last month in frozen fish at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri.
The rank recounted the discovery when the trial of Amir Ally, 30, of Lot P Goed Fortuin Housing scheme, West Bank Demerara, and Baldeo Persaud, 32, of Seafield, Leonora, West Coast Demerara began yesterday before Magistrate Leron Daly in Georgetown.
The charge against the duo states that on February 6th, at the CJIA, they trafficked 9.366 kilos (equivalent to 20.6 pounds) of cocaine.
During the rank’s testimony, he recalled using a drill at the Larparkan Cargo Shed area at CJIA, after being given certain information by another rank, on a snapper fish and observing a whitish substance he suspected to be cocaine.
A field test was then conducted on the whitish substance and it tested positive for cocaine.
The witness further noted that after being cautioned by a CANU rank
and told that he was under arrest, Ally said, “Ah buy dis fish jus like dat. I don’t know bout dis.”
Ally, along with Persaud, Naresh Codrington, Arjune Narine and Yadram Singh, who were all subsequently cautioned and told they were under arrest, were later escorted, along with the shipment of fish, to CANU headquarters.
While at the CANU headquarters, the witness noted that he assisted with weighing the cocaine contained in the shipment.
Subsequent to the rank being cross-examined by attorney Bernard Da Silva, who is representing the two accused, the matter was adjourned until March 29th.