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Mom, Canadian son remanded on drug trafficking charge
A 50-year-old woman and her 19-year-old son, both of Canada, were yesterday brought before the courts indicted on drug
Anand Gokul
trafficking charges following the latest bust at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).
Esardai Gokul, a Guyanese national resident in Canada and her son Anand, a Canadian citizen, were allegedly found with 5.221 and 5.282 kilograms of cocaine respectively, by police ranks on Tuesday (July 8) at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.
The cocaine was reportedly concealed in false bottoms of their suitcases whilst preparing to board an outgoing flight destined for Toronto, Canada.
The Gokuls both pleaded not guilty to the charges and submitted bail applications through their Attorney, Gordon Gilhuys, but the court presided over by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry ordered them remanded until another court hearing at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
Explaining the details surrounding the drug bust, Corporal Bharat Mangru said that the two were outgoing passengers on a Caribbean Airlines flight (BW 606) destined for Toronto, Canada. He said during a procedural check, ranks observed that their suitcases had false bottoms and a thorough search was subsequently conducted in their presence which unearthed a large quantity of cocaine concealed therein.
According to Mangru, under caution, the woman and her son told police ranks that they were paid by someone to transport the illicit substance.
Gilhuys asked the court to consider offering his clients bail. He said that Esardai Gokul is a permanent resident in Canada while her son is a citizen and they were on vacation in Guyana. The lawyer added that the accused woman is a mother of three, and her son is single. He claimed that the confession statements made by his clients were not freely and voluntarily given.
Objecting to bail, Corporal Mangru asked the court to note that there were no special reasons advanced by the defence for the two persons to be granted bail. He revealed too there are seven (7) witnesses to testify in the matter.
The Chief Magistrate refused bail and the case is set to be called before Magistrate Fabayo Azore for report and fixture on July 14.
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