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Special Constables fingered in drug trafficking conspiracy
Accused: Barbara Jacobs and Jermaine Bristol
Two Special Constables stationed at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) accused of conspiring with an alleged drug trafficker to transport cocaine to the United States of America, have been remanded to prison.
Jermaine Bristol, 29, of Lot 20-34 Stevedore Housing Scheme, Georgetown and Barbara Jacobs, 53, of Lot 200 Prospect, East Bank Demerara, appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
It is alleged that on November 17, last, at the airport, they conspired with Anthony Collins and other person (s) unknown to traffic a quantity of cocaine.
It was further alleged that between August 1 and October 31, last year at Stabroek, Georgetown, Bristol conspired with Anthony Collins and other person (s) unknown to traffic a quantity of cocaine. He pleaded not guilty and submitted bail applications through his lawyer.
Corporal Mangru, a Prosecutor attached to the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), explained that Wilton Sinclair, an American citizen left Guyana on November 17, 2014 and was intercepted by authorities at the John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport after they discovered that he had a quantity of cocaine concealed in rum.
As a result, an investigation was launched here. Mangru said that when the footage at CJIA was reviewed the two Special Constables were seen operating in a “manner contrary to duty.”
The Prosecutor said they were both taken in for questioning and Bristol admitted that he was paid twice to pass the cocaine-laced rum.
According to Mangru, Bristol told investigators that he paid Jacobs to do same but when questioned the woman admitted to passing two duty free bags but denied knowing it contained cocaine. They were later charged.
Bristol was represented by Attorney-at-Law Gordon Gilhuys who said his client has been in custody since last Wednesday, well in excess of the allowed 72 hours.
The lawyer claims that Bristol was badly beaten by a Police Sergeant (name given) and had to be rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) by a Constable. He said that his client knows nothing of a drug trafficking conspiracy and argued that the confession statement was not freely and voluntarily given.
Meanwhile, Attorney-at-Law Folio Richards is representing Jacobs. She said her client has been a member of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) for the past two years and is known for her impeccable character.
The lawyer said the police are currently in possession of her passport and she has no intentions to flee since she intends to fight the case and clear her name. Richards requested reasonable bail.
Their application was objected to by Corporal Mangru. The Prosecutor said although reasons were advanced by the lawyers, none were special as prescribed in the anti-narcotics Act.
Resultantly, the Chief Magistrate grilled the Prosecution about the reason for Bristol’s lengthy detention. Mangru claimed that the man had been in custody on Thursday and that yesterday was the first opportunity they had to bring him to court.
Magistrate Sewnarine-Beharry ordered the Prosecution to investigate the allegations into the alleged beating. Their bail applications were denied and the case will be called again on January 26 for report.
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