Three charged with cocaine in frozen fish
L-R: Lazena Imrazie, Shafaur Alli and Tazim Gafoor
L-R: Lazena Imrazie, Shafaur Alli and Tazim Gafoor

FOLLOWING the discovery of over 18 pounds of cocaine in frozen fish at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), the police yesterday charged three persons.Minibus driver Shafaur Alli, 27 and his sister Lazena Imrazie, 22, denied trafficking the elicit substance when the charge was read to them by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrate’s court.

It is alleged that on June 8 at CJIA, the siblings had 9.44 kilograms of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

Ali of La Jealousie, West Coast Demerara and Imrazie of Goed Fortuin, West Bank Demerara were represented by attorneys Peter Hugh and Bernard Da Silva.

The lawyers claimed that Ali and Imrazie had no knowledge of the drug, since they rented a fish plant, which is operated by a third party. According to Hugh, Imrazie was clearing packages at the airport when she was arrested.

However, Police Prosecutor Corporal Deniro Jones strongly opposed bail for the duo. He argued that no special reasons were provided by the defence counsel for bail to be considered by the court. He pointed out that Imrazie provided conflicting addresses and told investigators that she lived in La Jealousie.

But attorney Da Silva explained that Imrazie was the mother of a five-month-old baby and she would usually stay at her brother’s house.
Bail was denied and they were remanded to prison until July 7.

Meanwhile, Imrazie’s brother-in-law, 43-year-old Tazim Gafoor, was charged with perverting the course of justice in connection with the said matter.

It is alleged that the businessman attempted to secure the release of the seized narcotics. Gafoor of Windsor Forest, WCD denied the charge and was released on $200,000 bail. The case was also adjourned until July 7.

Prosecutor Jones told the court that the police captured Gafoor during a sting operation when he attempted to bribe the officer. He is suspected to be the mastermind behind the cocaine shipment.

But his lawyer, Glen Hanoman debunked the prosecution’s claims. Ranks of the Police Narcotic Branch intercepted and seized the cocaine in a cargo shipment of frozen fish at the CJIA destined for the United States of America on June 8.

The defendants allegedly 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.

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