Trial of convicted drug trafficker…Magistrate to rule on admissibility of caution statement

Aug 29, 2017 Court Stories, Features / Columnists, News

Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan is set to rule on the admissibility of an alleged caution statement given to Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) officers by convicted drug trafficker, Dennis Jones, who is on trial again for attempting to smuggle cocaine through the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC).

REMANDED: Dennis Jones

The ruling is scheduled to be made on September 5.
This date was announced by the Chief Magistrate yesterday after CANU Prosecutor Konyo Sandiford made closing submissions at the end of the Voir Dire (trial within a trial).
The Voir Dire was done to determine the circumstances under which the alleged caution statement was given to CANU officers, and whether or not it will be admitted to form part of the prosecution’s evidence.
Jones, 63, of 239 Caneview Avenue, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, is on trial for allegedly attempting to smuggle 22 pounds of cocaine out of Guyana in Banko wine and baking powder via the GPOC.
It is alleged that on January 20, at the GPOC, Jones had 10.618 kilogrammes of cocaine in his possession for the purpose of trafficking.
The defendant, who is on remand, is being represented by Attorney-at-Law Eusi Anderson.
According to reports, Jones was arrested shortly after he attempted to ship cocaine in baking powder and Banko wine to Toronto, Canada. Ranks from CANU intercepted a box containing the prohibited substance.
In addition, Jones is also facing forgery charges, whereby it is alleged that between September 1 and 30, 2016, with intent to defraud, he forged a Republic of Guyana identification card in the name of Josiah Jones, purporting to show that same was issued by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).
He is presently on trial for that offence before Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore.
The police prosecutor is contending that the identification card was found in Jones’s home and that he confessed to forging the document. It was also noted by the prosecutor that GECOM has no records of issuing that identification card.
Based on reports, Dennis Jones was deported from the USA for a drug trafficking offence.
In 2012, Jones was sentenced to four years in jail after pleading guilty to attempting to ship 300 kilogrammes of cocaine in a container of soap powder to the Republic of Niger in Africa.
Jones was arrested on November 29, 2012 after attempting to ship the narcotics from the John Fernandes Limited terminal at Mandela Avenue, Georgetown.
Back then, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) had said that the drug had an estimated street value of US$10M. During that arraignment, the court was told that Jones was an exporter, and that he had turned up at the terminal to ship a 20-foot container of Breeze brand soap powder.
But during an examination of the shipment, it was discovered that several packets which had the brand label were packed with cocaine concealed in a transparent plastic within.

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