Azim Baksh also known as “Bato” of Phase One, Good Hope, East Coast Demerara, who was busted with 91.132 kg of cocaine and 56.008 kg of cannabis in a fishing vessel at Mon Repos, ECD, was on Tuesday found guilty of narcotics trafficking.
Baksh appeared before Magistrate Alisha George at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court where he was informed that there is enough evidence against him and as such, he was found guilty. Magistrate George sentenced Baksh to five years’ imprisonment and fined him $221 million. In addition, the boat in which the drugs were found was confiscated and handed over to the State.
The prosecution contended that Baksh was under surveillance by Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) on July 14, 2018, when the fishing vessel docked at the Mon Repos River channel. He was followed by CANU agents while Police searched the boat. Following the discovery of the drugs, Baksh was arrested in a car at Mon Repos, ECD. His accomplice, Farok Baksh, called “Shoot”, however, managed to escape and a wanted bulletin was issued for him.
During the trial CANU ranks gave evidence showing that they found 82 parcels of cocaine which weighed 91.132 kg (201.32 lbs) as well as 98 parcels of cannabis which weighed 56.008 kg (123.47 lbs) on the vessel.
