Prosecution closes cases in five pounds cocaine trial

Jul 08, 2018 News

Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU), Prosecutor Konyo Sandiford has closed the case for the State in the trial of two men who were allegedly busted with cocaine back in March.
The men, Mark Gomes, 33, of Campbellville, Georgetown and Mohamed Kadir, 37, of Goed Fortuin, West Bank Demerara are alleged to have trafficked 2.50 kilos, equivalent to 4.9 pounds, of cocaine, on March 29, last, at Sheriff Street, Georgetown.
Prosecutor Sandiford after calling several witnesses wrapped up the case for the prosecution.
Thereafter Attorneys-at-Law Mark Waldron and Latchmie Rahamat, who are representing Gomes and Kadir respectively, made separate no-case submissions.
On July 17, Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan will rule on whether the prosecution has presented prima facie evidence against the defendants.

Mark Gomes (left) and Mohamed Kadir

Initially, the men were charged jointly along with 33-year-old Ryan Fowler of Better Hope, East Coast Demerara, for the offence. However, at their first court appearance on April 3, last, Fowler opted to plead guilty to the charge.
He was jailed for four years and ordered to pay a fine of $6M.
According to the prosecution, on the day in question, the men were in their vehicles, in the vicinity of Sheriff and John Streets, Campbellville, around 19:45 hrs, and had no knowledge that they were being monitored by CANU ranks. The Prosecutor said that CANU ranks observed the men in a trade-off of the drugs.
It was reported that on the day of the exchange, Fowler came out of his vehicle with a yellow gas cylinder and took it to another vehicle. This was when ranks from the CANU intervened and began to search the vehicles.
The drug was subsequently unearthed and tested on the spot, and the three men were escorted to CANU Headquarters.

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Latest News