14-year-old busted with cocaine in suitcase handles
The mother and another relative of the 14-year-old who was busted with cocaine concealed in the handles of his suitcase were refused bail at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts when they appeared before Magistrate Leron Daly on separate charges of possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking. 31
The child’s mother, Cora Towler and and the other relative, Ian Griffith pleaded not guilty to the charges that stated that on Friday, August 26, 2016 at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, they were in possession of 1.4 kilogram of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.
Defence Attorneys Peter Hugh, who represented Ian Griffith, and Paul Fung-A-Fat, who represented Cora Towler, both contended that the cocaine was found on a third party and not on their clients, hence, further investigations should be carried out.
Hugh made an application for reasonable bail on behalf of Griffith which was denied by Magistrate Daly.
Fung-A-Fat explained to the Court that his client was 41 years old and had four children. He pointed out that she was self-employed as a shop owner and was a naturalised American. The Attorney pleaded for reasonable bail which was denied.
He clearly explained that his client only packed her son’s suitcase and did not dismantle it, pointing to the fact that the cocaine was discovered in the handles of the suitcase.
Police Prosecutor Shellon Jupiter contended that Towler admitted in a caution statement that she placed the drugs in her son’s suitcase, along with Griffith who helped her pack. Upon this revelation by the Police, Griffith was later charged.
The defendants will make their next court appearance on September 12, 2016. The 14-year-old was held following the discovery of the 1.4 kilograms of cocaine concealed in the handles of his suitcase while he was waiting to board a flight destined for New York at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri on Friday afternoon.
It was reported that the teen was travelling alone, returning home after spending the August vacation in Guyana.
Upon the discovery of the cocaine, four persons, including the teen’s parents, were arrested.
