Latest update November 8th, 2024 1:00 AM
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State appeals CJ’s order for return of seized $9M to Dataram’s brother
Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Dionne McCammon has revealed that the state has appealed an order granted by Chief Justice (ag) Roxanne George, instructing the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU) to return
Troy Dataram (left) and Barry Dataram.
$9M it had seized from Troy Dataram, brother of convicted drug trafficker, Barry Dataram.
However, yesterday Attorney-at-Law Glen Hanoman who is representing Troy Dataram, told Magistrate Judy Latchman, before whom a separate application by the DPP for the seizure of the funds is being heard, that the money “no longer exists’ since it has already been spent.
Hanoman further said that the state’s decision to appeal the CJ’s order is a waste of time.
Nevertheless, the Assistant DPP said that the State will still proceed with the application pending the outcome of the appeal. The matter comes up again on September 12, for reports.
SOCU seized the money after it was found by Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) ranks during the raid of a house occupied by Barry Dataram at 661 Fourth Avenue, Block ‘X’ Diamond, East Bank Demerara on April 16, 2016. CANU ranks also unearthed some 100 pounds of cocaine during the raid.
However, Kaieteur News was informed that the money was found in Troy Dataram’s home several months after the raid. Law Enforcement officials had suspected that the money was acquired by Barry Dataram, who had given his brother to keep.
An application to forfeit the money was filed before Magistrate Judy Latchman on November 14, 2016, during which McCammon said that the DPP was pursuing the matter at the Magistrates’ Courts under the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act.
Barry and Troy Dataram were listed as the defendants.
But Hanoman contended that the Magistrates’ Courts had no jurisdiction to seize cash and that the matter should be heard in the High Court.
Magistrate Latchman and Assistant DPP McCammon were made aware of the High Court order last week Thursday by Hanoman who said that SOCU had already returned the money to his client.
During the High Court proceedings, Hanoman contended that the money belonged to Troy Dataram and was in no way connected to the drug bust.
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