A man and his sister were on Monday remanded to prison when they appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates
Lazena Imrazie
’ Courts to answer a charge of trafficking in narcotics following the discovery of over 9.044 kilograms (18 pounds) of cocaine in frozen fish at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) last week.
Shafur Ali, 27, of Lot 27 La Jalousie, West Coast Demerara and Lazena Imrazie, 22, of Lot 8 Goed Fortuin, West Bank Demerara, are accused of having the cocaine in their possession on June 8, 2016 for the purpose of trafficking.
According to reports, ranks from the Police Narcotic Branch intercepted the cocaine in a cargo shipment of frozen fish at the CJIA. It was revealed that the two defendants had declared 33 boxes of fish to be exported. Routine checks were done on the cargo by the ranks and the cocaine was found concealed inside the seafood.
The siblings were represented by Attorneys Bernard DaSilva and Peter Hugh before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.
According to the Attorneys, in their submissions to the Court, both defendants had no knowledge or possession of the prohibited drug.
Hugh told the Court that Ali rented a fish plant that is operated by a third party and played no part in the processing of the fish.
Both Attorneys requested that their clients be released on reasonable bail, since Police have no evidence
Shafur Ali
against them. Hugh pleaded with Magistrate McLennan to consider bail for the duo, citing the fact that the Police file was still incomplete and no indications were given to the Court as to when the file would be completed.
Hugh added that Imrazie was merely clearing a package on the day in question. DaSilva also pleaded for bail to be granted to Imrazie, since she had not signed any declaration form associated with the shipment.
However, Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones strongly objected to bail for the duo. He pointed out that no special reasons were provided by the defence counsels for bail to be considered by the Court. Jones also said that Imrazie provided different addresses to the Police.
He added that at the time of the woman’s arrest, she told Police she was residing at the same address as her brother. The Prosecutor stressed that there was a likelihood that Imrazie might not return to court for trial if released on bail.
However, Attorney DaSilva explained that the housewife would frequently visit her brother’s house, but her matrimonial home was located at Goed Fortuin, where she resides with her husband and five-month-old baby.
Prosecutor Jones indicated that investigations were still ongoing in relation to this matter. The Prosecutor’s submissions were upheld by the Chief Magistrate. The two were remanded. The case will continue on July 7.
