Two more charged, remanded on drug trafficking charges
TWO more men have been charged in connection with the recent cocaine and cannabis (marijuana) bust aboard the Trinidad-bound m.v. Bismark 2, which was intercepted in the Demerara River.
Shazim Deen (no address given) and Vishnu Sooklall, of Lot 256 Montrose, East Coast Demerara, faced separate drug trafficking charges when they appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry yesterday.
The charge against Deen is that, on January 18, at Houston, he trafficked in 27.203 kilogrammes of cocaine. He pleaded not guilty and his lawyer, Ms. Latchmi Rahaman complained that he was beaten by ranks of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) and requested that he has a medical examination as soon as possible.
CANU Special Prosecutor for the cases, Mr. Vic Puran challenged the defence counsel to state where exactly Deen suffered the injuries and who inflicted them.
In response, Rahaman said she is not a medical practitioner and that is the reason for her request. She also cannot state who beat the defendant neither could he but the magistrate instructed Puran to take note and investigate the complaint.
The allegation against Sooklall is that, on January 18, too, he had 27.203 kilogrammes, also of cocaine, for the same purpose and he pleaded not guilty, as well.
Mr. Euclin Gomes entered appearance for him and Puran asked for early trial dates, stating that the new CANU regime is to conduct speedy trials.
The prosecuting lawyer said the defendants and witnesses are cooperating with the police and Sooklall is giving evidence against some of the other defendants.
The cases will be called again on January 31.
Last Friday, the boat captain, Billy Glasgow, together with Steve Reddy and Mark Singh were all remanded to prison on separate narcotics trafficking charges, arising out of the same circumstances, after they had pleaded not guilty to having trafficked similar drugs.
Puran said CANU ranks found cocaine and compressed marijuana worth $145M on board the Bismark 2, in an operation assisted by the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard.
Mr. Glen Hanoman represented Glasgow and Mr. Peter Hugh did similarly for Reddy and Singh.
Hugh had also alleged that Reddy was severely beaten and the magistrate advised that efforts be made to have him, Reddy, medically examined by a doctor.