A FIFTY-FOUR-YEAR-OLD Canadian citizen of Lot 42 Goed Bananen Land, East Canje Berbice was yesterday charged following a recent cocaine bust at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport. Struetikant Persaud appeared before Magistrate Ann McLennan and pleaded not guilty to the charge. He was refused bail on the grounds that no special reason was given to the court. He will make his next court appearance before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on September 15.
Details of the charge said that on August 8 at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri, East Bank Demerara, he had in his possession 7.148 kilogrammes of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.
The alleged substance was found in milk powder packets, custard powder and achar.
Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) Prosecutor Oswald Massiah did not disclose any facts to the court, but stated that Persaud has two different addresses.
His attorney-at-law Mr. Paul Fung-a-Fat confirmed that his client has two addresses but noted that he resides at the address given for East Canje Berbice and the address at Palmyra Village is a property lot.
Counsel said he does not have any special reason as it relates to the application for bail.
According to the defence counsel, the father of two is at present a painter and used to work as a zinc fabricator. The defendant was charged before on a similar drug charge in 2004 and was convicted.
The Canadian citizen on the day in question was a departing passenger on a Caribbean Airlines flight.