Ganja trafficker jailed, fined $1.5M on his birthday

United States citizen Joel Cadogan was on Thursday slapped with a four-year prison sentence and fined $1.52 million after pleading guilty to possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.
The 51-year-old man appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Grove/Diamond Magistrate’s Court, where the charge was read to him.

The Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) stated that, on April 12, 2021, at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri, East Bank Demerara (EBD), Cadogan had 2.036 kilograms of cocaine in his possession for the purpose of trafficking. Cadogan was represented by Attorney-at-law Dexter Smart.

CANU Prosecutor Konyo Sandiford stated that on April 12, Cadogan arrived in Guyana via the Cheddi Jagan International Airport with three large suitcases and two handpieces.
Upon clearing immigration, he was subjected to a search by agents of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), during which four plastic bags containing the compressed marijuana were found wrapped in several pairs of jeans in one of the suitcases.
Customs officials conducted an additional search on the remaining luggage, and unearthed several packs of small empty Ziplock bags and a tabletop scale. The items were stuffed in several pairs of sneakers.
Following the discovery, Cadogan was reportedly arrested and taken to CANU Headquarters, where he was processed and charged. (G10)