SHELLON Khanai, 32, of Lot 5 Industry Railway Embankment, East Coast Demerara, was remanded to prison yesterday on a drug trafficking charge.

She pleaded not guilty to the offence, particulars of which said that on Saturday, November 16, at Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri, she had in her possession 2.938 kilogrammes of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.
Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) Prosecutor Oswald Massiah told the Court, on that day, the defendant was an outgoing passenger on BW 504 flight to the United States (U.S.) when she had a suitcase which was checked by an on duty CANU officer.
The suitcase was put on a scanner and a strange object was observed and, when it was taken off for inspection, Khanai accepted ownership and the officer identified himself to her and requested a further search.
The Prosecutor said Khanai admitted to owning a small business at her home address and was taken to the CANU headquarters, where the illegal substance was extracted and weighed.
The Prosecutor said, before the defendant was taken from Timehri, she begged the same officer for a chance, stating that she has six children of whom to take care.
But, when ranks went to her home, later, they found no evidence supporting business. During the investigation she informed the rank that she was granted a 10 years visa four months ago and, after she told someone (no name stated) that she had acquired it, the person requested her to take the suitcase to U.S. and she decided to do so after keeping it for two months.
According to Khanai, her husband died leaving her with six children a few years ago.
Magistrate Faith Mc Gusty told the defendant that she cannot grant bail unless a special reason is given and the unrepresented defendant said she is a single parent and the only breadwinner for her children between the ages of 13 and five years.
The magistrate said it is unfortunate that no special reason was advanced and the woman was refused bail until November 27.

(By Geeta Rampersaud)