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Cocaine in ornaments…Expectant mother, taxi driver charged
An expectant mother and a taxi driver who was once convicted for drug peddling, were jointly indicted yesterday in the City Magistrates’ court on a drug trafficking charge following the recent discovery of cocaine concealed in ceramic ornaments.
Accused:
Gordon Klass
The two accused, Belinda Williams, 29, and Gordon Klass, 43, appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore and pleaded not guilty when the charge of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking was read to them.
It is alleged that on July 7 at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, they had in their possession in excess of two grams of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.
Representing the Prosecution, Inspector Stephen Telford explained that about 08:00 hours on Monday, Williams was at the airport posting cargo destined for Dublin, Ireland on Amerjet flight number F68120 when the Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) and police ranks conducted field tests on the cargo which contained eighteen (18) pieces of ornaments.
Telford said that the test results indicated the ornaments contained cocaine.
According to Telford, the ornaments when weighed amounted to 17.736 kilograms. The experts, he said, are still working to extract all of the illicit substance and the likelihood exists that the duo would be charged again.
The Prosecutor asked the court to note that whilst the extraction is currently ongoing, the quantity at this stage was sufficient for the two accused to be held.
He stated that when Williams was told of the offence, she admitted that the package was given to her by Klass. When ranks arrested him, he reportedly told them that someone had given him the boxes.
The Prosecution said, in light of those claims, investigations are ongoing to ascertain where the ornaments originated.
Inspector Telford applied for the two to be remanded and asked to be recused from the matter since he knows the mother of the accused.
Williams was represented by Attorney at Law Patrice Henry. He said that his client is a married woman who is currently five months pregnant and has two children.
He said that Williams, a resident of Meadow Bank, East Bank Demerara, had no knowledge of the contents of the package, hence when questioned by ranks she readily provided the name of the person who had given her the package. Henry asked the court to consider those special reasons and grant her bail.
Meanwhile, Klass who was unrepresented by legal counsel stated that he resides at Lot 7 Princes Street, Werk-en-Rust. He said that he is a father of two and a taxi driver.
The Prosecution, however, told the Magistrate that he had previously provided a Mocha Arcadia, East Bank Demerara address. He said too that Klass was convicted in Barbados on a drug trafficking charge.
Attempting to explain, Klass interjected stating that his mother lives in Princes Street and he was confused because of what had transpired.
The Prosecution revealed that the investigations are complete and there are currently six witnesses to support the State’s case against the two accused.
Responding, Magistrate Azore remanded the duo. The case is set to be called again on July 28.
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