THE $24M cocaine trafficking trial against five men on Tuesday continued before Magistrate Rushell Liverpool at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court with the testimony of a Custom Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) officer.

On trial are Khemraj Lall, 39, and Doodnauth Chattergoon, 36, both of Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo (EBE); Marlon Lawrence, 36, of Felicity, East Coast Demerara (ECD), Rajendra Persaud, 47, of Liliendaal, ECD; and Cleve Thornhill.
The five men are jointly charged with trafficking 35 kilograms of cannabis and 13.8 kilograms of cocaine on June 6, 2018 at Parika. All five men pleaded not guilty to the charge.

A total of eight witnesses are expected to be called by CANU Prosecutor, Konyo Sandiford. Two witnesses had already completed their evidence. The matter is adjourned until November 21.
According to reports, CANU ranks on June 6, 2018 at Parika, East Bank Essequibo, intercepted the five men with the cocaine and cannabis stashed in false bottoms of two 15-gallon gas bottles.

CANU was able to make the bust after receiving information regarding a shipment of drugs arriving at Parika from Charity in a speed boat.
Acting on the information received, CANU officers then went to the Parika location where they intercepted motor vehicles PSS 8019 and PVV 7934. In one motor car were Lawrence and Persaud, while Thornhill and the other co-accused were in the other.

The vehicles were searched and two blue 15-gallon gas bottles were found with the bottoms cut and covered with brown paste. A further examination of the containers revealed several packages with some containing cannabis and others containing the suspected cocaine.