ALEX Macy of Middle Street, Skeldon, Corentyne, Berbice, was on Tuesday sentenced to four years imprisonment by Magistrate Fabayo Azore for possessing cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.Macy first appeared before Chief Magistrate, Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on Friday, January 23, 2015 and denied the charge which stated that on Tuesday, January 20 at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, he had in his possession 12.25 kilograms of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.
The matter was subsequently transferred before Magistrate Azore for trial, and was prosecuted by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Stephen Telford.
In his defence, Macy, a seaman, chose to give a sworn statement, but declined to call a witness on his behalf. He claimed that he was “set up” by someone he had met at the airport that day.
On the day in question, he explained that he was at the airport to board a Dynamic Airways flight to the United States of America when he stopped at a store in the airport and made a purchase. He said he was then approached by a man, who, after a formal conversation, asked him if he was willing to assist him in carrying on his suitcase because he was above the weight limit, since they were both travelling on the same flight.
Macy noted that although he was suspicious of the man, he agreed. However, when he asked the man to see inside of the suitcase, the man was hesitant and told him it contained clothing, and assured him that he would be right behind him in the check-in line.
“It was time; I tell he leh me go, because we been done late fuh check-in,” Macy said, as he told the court that when he was in the check-in line, he noticed that the man had lagged behind. However, the man told him that he was coming, and would follow shortly.
“When my turn was approaching, I was beginning to get worried because I didn’t see the man behind me, so I step out the line,” Macy said during his defence.
The man further noted that he was approached by an officer to get back in the line, resulting in a confrontation, when the officer decided to search the suitcase. As a result, the cocaine was found in the said suitcase.
During the case, several witnesses were called, including the officer. The prosecutor, ASP Telford, recounted that Macy is the holder of a 10-year-multiple US visa, and had visited there twice before. He said that on the day in question, Macy was an outgoing passenger on a Dynamic Airways flight destined for the U.S. According to him, the man, while being checked in, was observed by officers to be acting in a suspicious manner and approached him. His suitcase was searched, and Telford said that the cocaine was unearthed in two “Bob Marley” bags.
The magistrate ruled in favour of the prosecution after being satisfied with its case, and Macy was sentenced to four years imprisonment for possessing cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.