Two remanded for cocaine possession, one on bail for trafficking   

May 10, 2025 News

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Kaieteur News- Two men were remanded to prison on Friday for possession of cocaine, while another was placed on bail for aiding in trafficking narcotics.

The accused, 47-year-old Colin Alfred of 1415 Westminster, La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara (WBD), 28-year-old Terrence Bentinck of Lot ‘M’ 52 Guyhoc Garden, Georgetown, and 27-year-old Jason Defreitas of Lot 752 Phase 2 North Farm, East Bank Demerara (EBD), all appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty.

Alfred and Bentinck were charged jointly for possession of 11.148 Kilograms (kg) of cocaine, while Defreitas was charged separately for aiding the commissioning to traffic in narcotics.

Alfred pleaded guilty with explanation, while Bentinck and Defreitas pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleged that on May 7, 2025, at Sussex Street, Georgetown, they had in their possession 11.148 kilograms of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

Alfred told the court that on the day in question, he was working on a vessel when a man approached him and handed him something in a black back-pack. He however did not check the bag, but was instructed to deliver it to Georgetown.

While on his way from Port Kaituma to Georgetown to deliver the bag to Bentinck, he was approached, stopped and searched by Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) officers.

“CANU roll up and said nobody move, lie down on the ground. We was searched and I throw the bag in the car that Bentinck arrived in and in the presence, they tell we stand up.

I ask if they can give me lil time because I have my money in my pocket. They took the money and said is government state, so I say it can’t be government state, is my money. I had a total of $518,000,” Alfred said.

Meanwhile, the prosecution stated that the CANU officer were acting on information received. They went to Sussex Street, Georgetown, where they noticed Alfred walking along the said road with a black bag walking towards a silver Toyota Allion, bearing registration number PAJ 8554. The car was parked at the side of the road when he handed the said bag to Bentinck.

Moments after the officer approached both men and identified himself as a CANU officer. He informed them that he received information that narcotics were being transported in the vehicle and that he will have to conduct a search.

The officer searched the black bag which contained several parcels. He made a small incision into the parcels and noticed a white powdery substance suspected to be cocaine. Alfred and Bentinck were told of the officer’s observations and what they will be charged with. They were then arrested and taken to CANU Headquarters (HQ), along with the suspected cocaine. The substance was tested and was proven to be cocaine, which weighed 11.148 kg. Samples were taken, marked and lodged at CANU.

Under caution, Alfred told investigators that Defreitas paid him $400,000 to deliver the cocaine to the city and Bentinck called him to collect the cocaine. However, when told of the allegation, Bentinck remained silent.

Alfred said at the time he got the money, he was frustrated and thought Defreitas had given him it to purchase beers since that is a norm.

Bentinck was represented by attorney Adrian Thompson who requested bail. He told the court that his client should not be charged since the bag was not in his possession. He added that the CCTV footage and body camera will reveal that his client at the time of the incident, was not in possessions of any bag.

Thompson noted that the officers searched his client and his phone and nothing was found linking him to the charge.

The prosecution objected to bail indicating that Alfred admitted to the officer and willingly took the rap for both parties involved, which indicated that both of them were involved.

They added that body camera footage will confirm that both men were in possession of the bag and Bentinck at the time of the bust, had the bag in his hand.

Defreitas was represented by attorney Siand Dhurjon who requested bail, since his client did not admit to the offence committed. He added that nothing was found on his client when he willingly surrendered himself to CANU after seeing a wanted bulletin.

The prosecution objected to bail due to the seriousness of the offence. The prosecution added that while Defreitas remained silent, they took into consideration his body language and reaction to the offence.

Alfred and Bentinck were both remanded to prison until May 12, 2025. Meanwhile, Defreitas was released on $500,000 bail on condition that he reports to CANU HQ every first and third Friday between 9am and 5pm.

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• bail, cocaine, Colin Alfred, court, Jason Defreitas, remanded, Terrence Bentinck

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