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$550M cocaine-in-lumber bust trial… Alleged trafficker was monitored for almost two hours -CANU rank testifies
From left: Sherwayne De Abreu, Stephen Vieira, Nazim Gafoor and Tazim Gafoor
Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) investigator Lindon Thompson said that he had alleged drug trafficker Nazim Gafoor under surveillance for almost two hours on separate occasions during May and April, 2017.
Thompson was called to testify yesterday when the trial of Nazim Gafoor and his father Tazim Gafoor, both of Menzies Street, Windsor Forest, West Coast Demerara; motorbike racer, Stephen Vieira of 37 Middle Street, South Cummingsburg, Georgetown and former Customs Officer Sherwayne De Abreu of 262 Street Eight Section A Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, continued before Magistrate Rushelle Liverpool in the Leonora Magistrate’s Court.
It is alleged that between March 1 and May 2, 2017 at a sawmill belonging to Narine Lall, located at Lookout, East Bank Essequibo, they aided Hakim Mohamed to traffick 84.986 kilograms of cocaine.
The men have denied the charge and were each released on $5M bail by the High Court.
The four defendants are being represented by Attorneys-at-Law Everston Lammy-Singh, Glenn Hanoman, Latchmie Rahamat and Nigel Hughes respectively.
When the trial resumed, CANU Prosecutor Konyo Sandiford recalled Thompson to the stand for cross examination by the lawyers. When questioned, Thompson recalled that he was sent to monitor Nazim Gafoor on April 11 and May 12 at Houston, East Bank Demerara and Albouystown, in that order.
He said that he was sent to keep an eye on Gafoor after receiving information of there being an exchange of drugs. Asked by Lammy-Singh to recall what his client was wearing in one instance, Thompson said that the man was wearing a “hard pants. He however could not recall what colour footwear the accused was wearing or if he was clad in a cap. When further questioned by the lawyer, the witness said that he could recall seeing Nazim Gafoor throwing a bag into a “greenish-coloured bin” that was in front of a yard.
Thompson was asked by Lammy-Singh if he alone was sent to monitor his client.
Responding, Thompson stated “I cannot say”, adding that there are instances whereby the officer in charge of investigations does not disclose which ranks are being sent on operations.
Prosecutor Sandiford declined to re-examine the witness. The trial continues on March 19.
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