Father of four remanded for cocaine in mail

Apr 18, 2014 News

A car parts importer was yesterday afternoon indicted for drug trafficking following the discovery of cocaine in a mail bag at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) a few days ago.

Accused Drug Trafficker: Niron Wilson

Niron Wilson, 35, was charged with possession of a narcotic for the purpose of trafficking.
He appeared before Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
The charge states that between April 9 and April 11 at the Guyana Post Office Corporation, on Robb Street, he trafficked 647 grams of cocaine.
The accused pleaded not guilty and submitted an application for bail through his lawyer, Madan Kissoon.
Kissoon informed the court that his client is a businessman who imports car parts. He said that he is a father of four – two 17-year-olds and a 12 and 13-year-old.
Kissoon told the court that Wilson who resides at 38 North Sophia, Greater Georgetown, has never been charged or placed before any court. He said that his client has a valid passport and is willing to abide by any term or condition the court deems necessary for bail.
According to the lawyer, his client was detained on Monday by an investigating rank along with Clive David who had already been arraigned on Wednesday.
“Your worship, it was on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day that they sought to have him charged.”
Kissoon argued that as it relates to special circumstances for bail “no narcotic was ever found or has ever been in the possession of my client.”
His application, however, was met with sharp objections from the Prosecution (spearheaded by Corporal Deniro Jones) who opined that based on their facts, no special reasons were raised by the defence counsel for Wilson to be granted bail.
Jones indicated that the defendant was positively identified by Clive David who indicated to the police that Wilson had “given him the envelope to pass.”
“Further investigations were conducted and the handwriting on the envelopes was sent for analysis and it proved to be the defendant’s handwriting.” This, the Prosecutor claimed, showed his knowledge of the substance.
However, the defence attorney sprung to his feet vehemently arguing that it does not show possession.
“The offence is not writing on an envelope. At no point was this substance found in my client’s possession,” he contended.
Magistrate McLennan upheld the objections put forward by the Prosecution and remanded Wilson.
The case will be called again on May 19 at the said court before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.
Based on reports, Police Narcotics Branch ranks were conducting a routine search when the illegal substance was unearthed in several envelopes in a mail bag.
The bag was about to be loaded onto a Caribbean Airlines flight bound for John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK). On Monday last customs officer Clive David was taken into police custody following a thorough investigation into the drug bust.
Wilson was later fingered in connection with the drug bust.