Shellon Barrow and Latoya Griffith, who were charged over a plot to traffic almost over three pounds of cocaine, was on Tuesday jailed for three years and nine months.
Shellon Barrow and Latoya Griffith
Barrow, a vendor of Lot 135 Victoria Street, Albouystown, and Griffith, a hairdresser of Lot 38 Norton Street, Georgetown, were on trial before Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
The prosecution contended that Barrow trafficked 1.638 kilograms (3.6 pounds) of cocaine on September 15, 2018 at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri, while Griffith, 37, was alleged to have aided Barrow to traffic the cocaine between September 14 and September 15, 2018 at Sunset Hotel, Kitty, Georgetown. Both women initially denied the charge.
When the matter was called on Tuesday, Magistrate McGusty said that sufficient evidence was presented by Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) Prosecutor Narissa Leander for a conviction. The Magistrate added that evidence showed that both women had knowledge of the illegal act and the video footage provided by the prosecution showed them willingly participating.
As such, Magistrate McGusty found them guilty of trafficking and jailed the duo. The women were also fined $3.5 million.
Reports are on September 15, 2019, at CJIA, Barrow was intercepted while attempting to board a flight. The cocaine was found concealed in the false walls of her hard-cover suitcase.
According to reports, while in custody, she implicated Griffith, telling the CANU officers that she was given the drugs by her. A video from the hotel, which was presented during the trial, showed the ‘drop-off’ of the drug involving Griffith and Barrow.
