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Cocaine in achar….Canada-based cosmetologist arraigned for drug trafficking
– claims paid US$10,000 for ‘drop-off’
Yet another outgoing passenger yesterday made her way into the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court to be indicted for cocaine concealed in achar which was reportedly unearthed in her suitcase at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) two days ago.
According to the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), while at the airport on February 26, 41-year-old Canada-based Ashery Corbin had 6.116 kilograms of cocaine in her possession for the purpose of trafficking.
Accused: Ashery Corbin
When charged she pleaded not guilty but the court presided over by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry refused bail and ordered her held until her next court hearing today (February 28) at the Providence Magistrate’s Court.
Corbin is being prosecuted by Special Prosecutor Oswald Massiah (attached to CANU) who stated that she is Guyana-born but had left for Canada since 1993. She had been residing at Lot 24-44 Lakeshore Boulevard West, Toronto.
Massiah indicated that while the cosmetologist was in Canada she received a call from a male acquaintance, Wayne Williams, who asked her to come to Guyana, but she told him that she had no money.
He recorded that at the salon the next day, someone delivered a ticket to her which she accepted. She reportedly ventured to Guyana on Wednesday, February 19.
The Prosecutor claimed that Williams picked her up from the airport and took her to a Bagotville, West Bank Demerara residence. During her stay, she was asked if she could transport some items for which she would be compensated with US$10,000.
Massiah said that arrangements were made for her to leave on February 25 but that did not materialize so the flight was booked for the subsequent day.
Corbin was reportedly given two suitcases and two packets. During procedural checks at the airport, however, CANU ranks observed strange objects in her luggage through the use of the scanner.
She was summoned to identify her suitcase and a subsequent search was conducted, which revealed two Ziploc bags containing Achar with a seed-like substance which when taken to CANU headquarters and tested was determined to be cocaine.
The substance was weighed and subsequent investigations led to her being charged for drug trafficking.
In response, the Chief Magistrate indicated to the 41-year-old that special reasons were needed for bail to be issued hence this was refused. The matter was transferred to the Providence Magistrate’s Court where it will engage the attention of Magistrate Leron Daly today.
Earlier this month, a local art model, 38, and a 78-year-old man of Meadow Brook Gardens, Georgetown, were brought before the courts to similarly be indicted for a total of 19.932 kilograms of cocaine found hidden in achar by CANU ranks at the airport.
The two made their first appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and were remanded to prison by the Chief Magistrate. Their matter was similarly transferred to the Providence Magistrate’s Court.
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