Duo gets 2 years each, fined $99M for cocaine trafficking

More than three years after being charged for cocaine possession, 47-year-old John Da Silva, of Grant Strong Hope, Lower Pomeroon River, and 36-year-old Kevin Fitz Gordon of Lot 18 Jib Housing Scheme, Essequibo, were found guilty by Magistrate Esther Sam.

The verdict was handed down after the completion of the trial at the Suddie Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
Initially, the two men pleaded not guilty to the charge and were granted bail in the sum of $1 million each. Police stated that on July 20, 2017, the two men had several well-wrapped packages with the illicit substance aboard a vessel along the Pomeroon River.
The vessel was intercepted and a search was conducted by the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard, during which the cocaine was unearthed. The substance totalled to 209 pounds or 94.954 kilograms.
However, during the sentencing, Gordon, via Skype, indicated to the court that he is in Aranka and could not attend court. He was, nevertheless, instructed by the Magistrate to present himself to the nearest police station so that he can begin serving his sentence.
Gordon was previously charged in 2015 for the trafficking of narcotics. It was alleged that on January 28, 2015, at Sheriff Street, Georgetown, Gordon, along with Adrian David, 25, of D Field, Sophia; Carl Roberts, 27, of 62 Duncan Street, Campbellville, and Fabian Gonsalves of Pomeroon River, had in their possessions 11.150 kilograms of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.
It was reported that on the day in question, the quartet was apprehended on Sheriff Street by CANU ranks with a five gallon container which had 10 bricks, suspected to be cocaine inside.
That matter was, however, dismissed due to lack of evidence.