Corentyne man in 94 kilos ganja bust on $150,000 bail
Omesh Lakeram, the 47-year-old man who surrendered to the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) on Wednesday in relation to a 94 kilogrammes marijuana bust in Berbice, was on Friday released on $150,000 bail after being charged with trafficking in narcotics.
Lakeram, who was represented by Attorney-at-Law Bernard Da Silva, pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on May 11, 2021, at Number 68 Village Beach Front Corentyne, Berbice, he had 94 kilogrammes of marijuana in his possession for the purpose of trafficking.
The defendant appeared before Magistrate Alex Moore at the Number 51 Magistrate’s Court. The case was transferred to the Springlands Magistrate’s Court for August 6, 2021. As a condition of bail, the accused drug trafficker was ordered to report to the Springlands Magistrate’s Court once per month.
On May 11, 2021, CANU said it interdicted
Omesh Lakeram (left) with his Attorney-at-Law, Bernard Da Silva
94 kilogrammes of cannabis at Number 68 Village, Corriverton, Berbice. After conducting surveillance for several days, CANU officers around 04:00h on the day in question observed three to four individuals with flashlights coming through a track.
As the individuals approached, CANU ranks identified themselves and ordered the persons to stop. However, the individuals dropped what they were carrying and scattered in different directions.
The CANU ranks attempted to pursue, but given the poor visibility at the time which raised concerns for their safety, they decided not to continue. CANU officers then returned to the spot where the items were dropped and discovered four bags with several parcels inside.
The bags were transported to CANU’s headquarters where they were processed. Some 80 parcels of marijuana weighing 94kg (207 pounds) collectively were found. Shortly after the discovery, CANU issued a wanted bulletin for Lakeram. The marijuana find is reportedly worth $18 million. (G1)
