As the matter of local convicted drug trafficker, Barry Dataram and his brother, Troy Dataram, was called before city Magistrate Judy Latchman on Thursday afternoon, the case was almost immediately adjourned to August 14, due to the
Troy Dataram
non-appearance by Troy Dataram.
Defence Attorney Glen Hanoman had earlier suggested that this may be as a result of the recent order by Chief Justice Yonnette Cummings- Edwards to have the forfeited property returned to him (Troy Dataram) by the State.
The Magistrate further questioned the attorney and State Prosecutor Dionne McCalmon who seemed oblivious of the development. McCalmon was instructed to uplift a copy of the order from the court’s clerk.
This case will be called again at 13:30h on August 14, for a report from the State Prosecutor. The $9 million was seized by Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit officials during a search conducted on the home of Troy Dataram on February 18, 2016.
This matter was before the High Court in a civil matter involving the Special Organised Crime Unit over its continued possession of the seized monies which was ruled dismissed, after the Chief Justice found that there was no grounds for the said currency to remain in the custody of SOCU.
Barry Dataram is presently serving an eight-year prison sentence after he was earlier this year found guilty of drug trafficking and passport forgery. Meanwhile, Dataram’s wife, Anjanie Boodnarine, was in May this year sentenced to nine months in prison when the Bartica Magistrate’s Court found her guilty of smuggling contraband into the Mazaruni Prison where her reputed husband is serving time. Boodnarine was reportedly visiting Dataram at the prison when a search conducted revealed 14 packs of cigarettes concealed in Cheese Sticks packets which were intended for the convict.
