A 36-year-old Computer Technician who attempted to smuggle cocaine with a street value of $4.1M inside false walls of his suitcase was sentenced to serve three years in prison and fined $4.1M on Monday.

Colin McEwan, of Crane Housing Scheme, West Coast Demerara was caught trying to smuggle over 1.536 kilograms cocaine while he was an outgoing passenger at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on December 15, 2016.

He appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court and pleaded guilty to the charge. Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) Prosecutor Konyo Sandiford-Thompson told the court that the father of four checked in as a passenger on a Caribbean Airlines flight and was scheduled to travel to Bermuda.

However, when McEwan placed his suitcase at the airport scanner, a suspicious images was observed inside. A CANU officer approached him and requested to examine the said suitcase. The officer pierced the walls of the suitcase with a metal object and a whitish substance was observed.

A field test was also conducted on the substance by the officer which tested positive for cocaine. McEwan was arrested and taken to CANU Headquarters where he confessed to the officers and give details of the incident. He also assisted ranks in finding his procurers.

Attorney-at-Law, Gordon Gilhuys begged the Chief Magistrate to exercise leniency towards his client since the man admitted to the offence and did not waste the court’s time.

The lawyer further pointed out that his client is the sole breadwinner for his family, which includes a new born twin.