CJIA cocaine bust
…tells court “I did it for my kids”
A 37-year-old beautician was sentenced to three years imprisonment and fined $1,117,200 when she appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged for trafficking in narcotics.
Natasha Blair of Lot 92 Grove Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara (EBD), admitted to the charge after it was read to her by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.
The charge stated that on July 2, 2018, while she was an outgoing passenger at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri, EBD, she attempted to smuggle 532 grams of cocaine.
The prosecution’s case stated that on July 2, Blair was destined for JFK International Airport when a Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit officer, acting on information received, approached her. She was told of the suspicion but denied.
The mother of two was then cautioned and taken to a medical facility where an X-ray revealed foreign objects in her stomach.
She was admitted, and subsequently excreted 32 pellets containing suspected cocaine which weighed 322 grams and 210 grams was extracted from her vagina.
According to the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), Blair used her body to accomplish ‘two risky concealment methods’, that is, ingestion and insertion.
Blair’s attorney, Keoma Griffith, in plea of mitigation asked that the court show compassion for his client since it was an unfortunate risk she took while citing that she has an 11-month-old baby.
“I’m sorry for causing my family any hurt and pain but I did it for my kids,” a tearful Blair told the Magistrate as she apologised for her crime.
Reports indicate that the woman swallowed cocaine pellets and concealed a package of the illicit drugs in her lower extremity.
Her 11-month-old daughter, with whom she was travelling when she was intercepted, has since been handed over to her grandmother.
Meanwhile, CANU said t they are now in search of the father of the suspect’s child for questioning into the discovery.
He has been identified as Sherwin Stoby, called “Kong”. His last know addressed was given as Lot 87 Roxanne Burnham Gardens, Georgetown.
