American woman pleads guilty to heroin possession, another claims insanity

May 09, 2009 News

Sentencing deferred

Ajar Bourne

Diamond Boulware

Two United States citizens were remanded to prison, yesterday, on separate charges of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.
The two women appeared before Magistrate Hazel Octive-Hamilton at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
Ajar Bourne, on May 6, at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, had in her possession 1.32 kilograms of heroin for the purpose of trafficking. She pleaded guilty. She was unrepresented.
According to Police Prosecutor Robert Clement, the police were conducting a “pat search” on passengers on a Caribbean Airlines flight destined to the United States.

He further explained that Bourne was seen acting in a suspicious manner by the police, so she was stopped and a search revealed that she was wearing a “girdle” which was suspected to have contained cocaine.
Clement further explained that Bourne was arrested and a further search was carried out on her person.
That further search revealed that she had inserted two drug-filled condoms into her vagina. The defendant was then cautioned and told of the allegation. In a caution statement, she admitted having the narcotics in her possession and was subsequently charged.

When asked by the magistrate to explain herself before sentence was imposed, Bourne stated that it was never her intention to smuggle drugs out of Guyana.
“My worship I’m pleading guilty only because I had it in my possession but, it was never my intention to try and smuggle drugs”.

She further told the court that she was forced to do so by “some people” who locked her in her hotel room.
Bourne claimed that every time she tried to get rid of the drugs, she was stopped. She said that they followed her every move.
She said that after she reached the airport she tried to scribble a note on the immigration slip, but was again stopped.

The woman said that she managed to get rid of a parcel of marijuana, which was strapped to her arm.
Bourne’s sentence was deferred after she told the Magistrate that the one of the persons who kept her against her will was in the courtroom.
That person was 19-year-old Diamond Rebecca Boulware, an American citizen who was charged with drug trafficking. It was alleged that Diamond Rebecca Boulware, on May 6 at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport had in her possession 1.22 kilograms of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.
She pleaded not guilty and was represented by attorney at law Pamela De Santos in association with Senior Counsel Bernard De Santos.

The lawyer then told the court that she needed more time to have dialogue with her client. The lawyer noted that she had spoken to Boulware’s mother, who resides in the US and was informed that the defendant has a history of psychiatric problems, diagnosed as bipolar disorder. De Santos then asked for the matter to get a short adjournment so that she could get advice from her client.

However the presiding Magistrate informed Attorney-at-Law Pamela De Santos that those reasons, which she had listed, could not be considered as special. The magistrate also noted that since the lawyer disclosed that her client Boulware was bipolar she would be deferring Bourne’s sentence. She then remanded both defendants until the truth surfaces.
“I’m very interested in this matter and I would not be transferring it to any other court”. The two were remanded to prison and are expected to make another court appearance on May 15 for report.

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