272 packets of cocaine tendered as evidence in court

Barry Dataram case

The trial of self-confessed drug lord and businessman Barry Dataram, his reputed wife, and their two friends continued on Tuesday before Magistrate Judy Latchman in Court Three of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Dataram, also known as “Mogotani” or Kevin Dataram, of 13 Vriesland, West Bank Demerara (WBD); his reputed wife, Anjanie Boodnarine, 19, of 79 Patentia Housing Scheme, WBD; Komal Charran, 20, of 265 Belle West, WBD; and Trevor Gouveia of Best Village, West Coast Demerara, were all charged for allegedly having 129.23 kilograms of cocaine in their possession for the purpose of trafficking on April 16, 2015, at 661 Fourth Avenue, Block X Diamond, East Bank Demerara.

Dataram represented himself during the hearing since his Attorney, Glen Hanoman was a no-show. Magistrate Judy Latchman told the Court that in the interest of time she would continue the trial in his absence.

Before the start of the hearing, Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) officers were seen transporting several boxes and a large freezer among other items to the courtroom.

The items turned out to be exhibits in the case.

The witness statements provided by CANU officer Andrew Yarde at Tuesday’s hearing backed the evidence. CANU Prosecutor Konyo Sandiford-Thompson also verified the evidence.

She successfully requested that the said items – that is the 129.23kg of cocaine that was found in the possession of the defendants – be tendered as evidence and marked as exhibits.

Two boxes were then opened and emptied of their contents by CANU officer Yarde in the presence of the four accused. The boxes contained in total 272 packets of cocaine which were counted in front of the defendants by Yarde. Magistrate Latchman then ordered each defendant to count the packets to verify the amount.

Also tendered as an exhibit were a garbage bag and a blue baby tub.

Prosecutor Sandiford-Thompson asked for an extended date for the continuation of the trial since additional exhibits were left to be shown. The trial was adjourned until June 27.