US deportee accused of trafficking cocaine in Banko Wine

Voir dire continues before courts

Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) Officer Aggrey Reynolds appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan to give a witness statement in the ongoing voir dire (preliminary examination), to determine the admissibility of an alleged caution statement made by a cocaine trafficking accused.

The statement was made by Dennis Jones to Police Officer Joseph Innis during the investigation following his arrest in connection with a package bound to Toronto, Canada, which allegedly contained a quantity of cocaine concealed in several bottles of Banko Wine and packets of baking powder.

Following the witness’s testimony, Special Prosecutor Konyo Sandiford under cross-examination sought to establish that the caution statements made by the accused were freely and voluntarily given.

The witness related that he was at all times in the room when the alleged statements were made and Jones had reportedly affixed his signature willingly. Reynolds contended that the accused was granted a meal and phone call upon request, and he was at no point in time coerced to sign the caution statements to secure same.

It is alleged that on January 20 last, at the Georgetown Post Office Corporation (GPOC), the 63-year-old resident of Cane View Avenue, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, had 10.618 kilograms of cocaine in his possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Jones had pleaded not guilty to the charge. He remains incarcerated pending the outcome of the proceedings. Jones was previously sentenced to four years’ imprisonment in 2012 for a similar offence of trafficking cocaine, but in soap powder. Media reports indicated that he was busted when he attempted to ship the cocaine to an African state.

The Prosecutor had disclosed that there was video surveillance footage from the Post Office, and Jones was reportedly found hiding in the ceiling when investigating ranks went to his home, prior to his arrest.

Moreover, the accused was reportedly deported from the United States of America for drug trafficking. The accused returns to court on June 28, 2017.