Barry Dataram was on Tuesday sentenced to 60 months (five years) in jail and fined $164,268,000 after he was found guilty in absentia for possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. His co-accused, including his reputed wife, were all freed of the charges.
The sentence was handed down by Magistrate Judy Latchman on Tuesday in Dataram’s absence.
Initially, Dataram, of Lot 13 Vriesland, West Bank Demerara; his reputed wife, Anjanie Boodnarine, 19, of 79 Patentia, Housing Scheme, West Bank Demerara; Komal Charran, 20, of 265 Belle West, West Bank Demerara; and Trevor Gouveia of Best Village, West Coast Demerara, had all pleaded not guilty to the drug trafficking charge.
It was alleged that on April 16, 2015, at 661 Fourth Avenue, Block X Diamond, East Bank Demerara, they had 60 kilograms, 840 grams of cocaine in their possession for the purpose of trafficking.
Magistrate Judy Latchman in handing down her ruling said there was enough evidence against Dataram and the court found no evidence tying Boodnarine, Gouvieia, and Charran to the drugs found at Dataram’s residence.
She further stated that based on the facts and the physical evidence presented in court, Dataram was guilty of the offence.
Superintendent of Police, and officer in charge of the narcotics branch and narcotic evaluation officer, Wayne Dehaarte, was summoned to court to pronounce upon the value of the illicit drug.
Dehaarte stated that 60 kilograms, 840 grammes is equivalent to $54,756,000 but the fine is three times the market value which will amount to $164,268,000.
Meanwhile, Dataram and Boodnarine failed to attend court on the previous scheduled days of sentencing, which were September 20 and September 23, 2016. Upon the Dataram and Boodnarince “no-shows” in court, Magistrate Lactchman issued arrest warrants for them while noting she will proceed with her ruling in their absence.
In scenes of jubilation outside of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, the two freed defendants were greeted warmly by family and friends. However, many have expressed shock at Dataram’s disappearance.
It is reported by law enforcement that Dataram who was on bail pending the outcome of the case, has fled Guyana to neighbouring Suriname with forged travel documents. The Police are on the hunt for him.
