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Trial continues for five charged over Parika drug bust
The defendants hid their faces at the first court hearing
The trial of five men who are charged over a Parika, Essequibo Bank drug bust, in which a large quantity of cocaine and marijuana were discovered, continued yesterday at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court where two Custom Anti Narcotics (CANU) ranks were called to give testimony.
Those facing Magistrate Rushelle Liverpool are Khamraj Lall, 39, of Zeelugt; Marlon Lawrence, 36, of Felicity, East Coast Demerara; Rajendra Persaud, 47; Cleve Thornhill; and Doodnauth Chattergoon. They have all pleaded not guilty to the charge and were each granted bail to the tune of $2M.
It is alleged that on June, 6, they trafficked 35.080 kilograms (77 pounds) of cannabis and 13.812 kilograms (30 pounds) of cocaine. At the continuation of the trial, CANU Prosecutor Konyo Sandiford called two ranks to the witness box.
One of the ranks testified to an interview he conducted with Thornhill at CANU headquarters, where he asked him several questions. The rank faced intense cross-examination by Attorney-at-Law for Thornhill, Joel Edmond.
Another rank, testified to the role he played throughout the investigations.
After his testimony, he was cross-examined by Attorney-at-Law George Thomas who has been retained by Lall and Chattergoon. The Prosecution is expected to call a total of eight witnesses, including the two above mentioned CANU ranks.
According to information released by CANU, the five men include four occupants of two motorcars and boat captain, Thornhill. A quantity of cocaine and marijuana concealed in two blue plastic gas bottles was intercepted in the trunk of a motor vehicle at Parika Public Road.
On the day in question, ranks staked out the Parika, East Bank Essequibo area, watching for two vehicles, PSS 8019 and PVV 7934. Around 1pm, they stopped PSS8019. Lawrence and Persaud were inside.
In the trunk, the ranks found two blue, gas containers with the bottoms cut out and pasted back together. They found what appeared to be marijuana and cocaine in them.
Later that day, ranks stopped the other vehicle, PVV 7934, which Lall and Chattergoon were in. The ranks seized a satellite phone.
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