Block maker takes rap for cocaine in fire extinguisher

…jailed for 48 months, fined $5.1M

Twenty-six-year-old block maker, Dinesh Dias was on Friday jailed for 48 months and fined $5.1 million after he pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of 1.8kg of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. He was additionally fined $15,000 after he also pleaded guilty to having 1.89kg of cannabis in his possession for the purpose of trafficking. Failure to pay the fine will result in him serving an additional week in prison.
Dias, also called “Anil”, of Timerhi Base Road, East Bank Demerara, was jointly charged with Anthony Collins called “Black Boy”, 31; Seenarine Mathura called “Desi”, 43, and Mohamed Inshan, 48. They all appeared at the Providence Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Sunil Scarce. After Dias admitted to the offence, the charges against his co-defendants were all dismissed.

The court heard that on April 23, 2019, agents of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) swooped down on Dias’ Lot 26 Timehri Base Road, EBD home during which the cocaine was unearthed in a fire extinguisher. The cannabis was also found in his home.
He along with the three men were arrested and an investigation was launched. Dias, in taking the rap for the offence, told the court that his friends had no knowledge that the cocaine and ganja were at his house during the time of their visit.
CANU, on Thursday had stated that the cocaine-laden fire extinguisher was expected to be placed on an aircraft leaving the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) for an international destination.