Magistrate yet to decide on calling TV journalist, cameraman to testify

Barry Dataram drug trial

By Kizzy Coleman

Self-confessed drug lord, Barry Dataram, his wife Anjanie Boodnarine and two relatives, Komal Charran and Trevor Gouveia reappeared in the courtroom of Magistrate Judy Latchman on Wednesday as the trial into a drug related charge continues.

During the hearing at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit’s (CANU) Prosecutor made an application for HGPTV Nightly News anchor, Travis Chase and his cameraman to be summoned to court to testify.
This, she said is necessary since Dataram allegedly confessed to being a drug lord during a television interview.
The defendants Attorney Glenn Hanoman objected to that request asking the Magistrate to delay the request before the testimony of CANU Officer Andrew Yarde.
Magistrate Latchman also asked to hear the testimony made by Andrew Yarde before considering that request. In his testimony, Yarde identified all 692 white marked enveloped as those that were confiscated from the four accused.
Depending on the evidence provided by Yarde, Latchman said that at the next court hearing she will determine whether to oblige the prosecution’s request.
The matter is to be heard next on May 20, 2016.
The four accused are facing charges which alleged that on April 16, 2015, at Lot 661 Fourth Avenue, Block X Diamond, East Bank Demerara, they allegedly had 129.23KG of cocaine in their possession for the purpose of trafficking. On the day in question as was disclosed by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Stephen Telford, ranks from the Customs Anti Narcotic Unit (CANU) acting on information, entered the premises of the defendants and conducted a search in their presence.
During the search, the illegal drugs were allegedly discovered and they were all arrested and charged.
After being charged, Dataram in an interview on television spoke about a major drug network, which exists at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) where CANU Officers are involved in smuggling drugs in and out of Guyana.
He also alleged that there is massive corruption at CANU, with drug lords giving money to facilitate the elaborate lifestyle of officers at the counter-narcotics unit in exchange for information on raids and protection.