A minibus driver of La Jalousie, West Coast Demerara (WBD), was on Friday freed of a trafficking in narcotics charge when Magistrate Leron Daly declared that the prosecution failed to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt, almost 10 months after his sister, Lazena Imrazie of Goed Fortuin (WBD) was freed on a no submission case.
Safaur Ali, 28, and his 23-year-old sister were one year ago remanded to prison after they were hauled before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts following the discovery of over 18 pounds (9.044 kilograms) of cocaine in frozen fish at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).
It was previously reported that the defendants declared 33 boxes of fish to be exported and routine checks done on the cargo by the ranks revealed cocaine concealed inside of the seafood. Ranks of the Customs Anti- Narcotics Unit (CANU) then intercepted and seized the shipment.
Safaur Ali
The minibus driver and his sister were represented by Attorneys Peter Hugh and Bernard DaSilva.
The siblings were released on bail.
In addition, Imrazie’s brother-in-law, 43-year-old prominent businessman, Tazim Gafoor, of Windsor Forest (WCD) was also charged with perverting the course of justice in connection with the said matter. It is alleged that Gafoor attempted to secure the release of the seized narcotics.
Speaking to this publication, Ali’s trial attorney Bernard Da Silva disclosed that his client was finally released on Friday, as the prosecution failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt the necessary elements of trafficking, thereby attributing to his client’s control and possession of the alleged narcotics.
Meanwhile, Gafoor is currently incarcerated after CANU swooped down on a lumber yard at Zeelugt, where they unearthed some 85 kilos (187 pounds) of cocaine in dressed lumber that was being prepared for export to the United States. Among those remanded are Tazim’s son and race car driver Nazim Gafoor, ace biker Stephen Vieira and Sherwayne DeAbreu.
