DEFENCE lawyer Glenn Hanoman is no longer representing self-confessed drug lord Barry Dataram and his wife Anjanie Boodnarine, after they have failed for the second time to turn up in court for their trial.As the trial continued on Friday before City Magistrate Judy Latchman, Hanoman informed the court that he was unable to make contact with the two defendants since the last court hearing on September 20, and he would no longer represent the duo. However, Hanoman indicated that he would still be representing the interest of Trevor Gouveia and Kevin Charran, who were present at yesterday’s hearing.

Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) Prosecutor Konyo Sandiford-Thompson informed the court that the arrest warrants issued earlier in the week had been acted upon, but the police have been unable to locate the duo.

Police Constable Anil Saffie, attached to the Wales Police Station, West Bank Demerara, testified and informed the court that, on September 22, 2016, he and two other police officers, along with a CANU rank, had visited Dataram’s residence at Lot 3 Vriesland, West Bank Demerara and Boodnarine’s residence at Lot 79 Patentia Housing Scheme, WBD, but the defendants were not found there.

The police constable noted that the police party had also visited another residence of Dataram’s at Lot 36 Patentia Housing Scheme, but he was not there either. However, the ranks had met one of his aunts, who told them that he had left for court on Tuesday last and has since not returned.

Meanwhile, following an application by Prosecutor Sandiford-Thompson, Magistrate Latchman entered the arrest warrants into evidence without objection from Hanoman. The matter has been adjourned to September 27 for the continuation of trial.

The defendants are on trial for the alleged possession of cocaine. It is alleged that on April 16, at Silver Dam, Fourth Avenue, Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, the defendants had in their possession 129.230 kilogrammes of cocaine (equivalent to 284 pounds) for the purpose of trafficking.

The illicit substance was found by CANU when officers raided the said property.