Siblings remanded over cocaine in frozen fish

Jun 14, 2016 Court Stories, Features / Columnists, News

Following the discovery of over 18 pounds of cocaine in frozen fish at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), a minibus driver and his younger sister were yesterday, remanded to prison after they denied a drug trafficking charge.

Lazena Imrazie

Shafur Alli, 27, of Lot 27 La Jalousie, West Coast Demerara and Lazena Imrazie, 22, of Lot 8 Goed Fortuin, West Bank Demerara are accused of having 9.044 kilograms of cocaine in their possession on June 8, last, for the purpose of trafficking.
According to reports, ranks of the Police Narcotic Branch intercepted and seized the cocaine in a cargo shipment of frozen fish at the airport. Court facts revealed that the defendants declared 33 boxes of fish to be exported. Routine checks were done on the cargo by the ranks and the cocaine was found concealed inside of the seafood.
Alli and his sister are being represented by Attorneys Peter Hugh and Bernard DaSilva.
Both lawyers made applications for their clients to be released on reasonable bail citing that police have no evidence against them.
The Attorneys are claiming that Alli and Imrazie had no knowledge or possession of the prohibited drug. Hugh told the court that Alli rents a fish plant that is operated by a third party and asserted that he plays no part in the processing of the fish.
Hugh pleaded with Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan to consider bail for the duo citing the fact that the police file is still incomplete and that no indications were given to the court as to when the file will be completed.
Hugh said that the female defendant was merely clearing a package on the day in question.

Shafur Alli

During his address to the court, DaSilva also pleaded for bail to be granted to Imrazie, because she had not signed any declaration form associated with the alleged narcotic shipment.
However, Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones strongly objected to bail for the two. He pointed out that no special reasons were provided by the defence counsels for bail to be considered by the court. Jones said that Imrazie provided conflicting addresses.
Jones explained that at the time of the woman’s arrest she told police she was residing at the same address as her brother. The Prosecutor stressed that there is a likelihood that she might not return to court for trial if released on bail.
But Attorney DaSilva explained that the housewife would frequently visit her brother’s house but has her matrimonial home located at Goed Fortuin, where she resides with her husband and five-month-old baby.
According to the lawyers, none of the defendants have previous or pending matters before the court.
Prosecutor Jones indicated that investigations are still ongoing in relation this matter.
His bail objections were upheld by the Chief Magistrate who ordered that the defendants be remanded to prison until July 7, when the matter will be called for report and fixtures.

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