MAGISTRATE Rushell Liverpool, on Thursday, January 31, 2019, sentenced a 33-year-old boat captain to five years imprisonment along with a fine of $136M for trafficking over 65 kilograms of cocaine.

Damion Williams, 33, of Better Hope, East Coast Demerara, after standing trial at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court, was found guilty of having, on December 24, 2017, at Boodhoo Housing Scheme, 65.027 kilograms of cocaine in his possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Williams was charged jointly with Vaughn Anderson, 30, of Boodhoo Housing Scheme, Parika, East Bank Essequibo. However, Magistrate Liverpool, on Wednesday, January 30, ruled that the police prosecutor failed to establish a case against Anderson to prove key elements of the charge, such as, knowledge and control. On those grounds, Magistrate Liverpool dismissed the charge against Anderson and turned her attention to Williams.
The magistrate, in her submission, noted that Anderson was a taxi driver and was hired by Williams, whom he owed $20,000.

In her submission, the magistrate further disclosed that a police witness had testified, during the trial, that Anderson had admitted that he was given two gas cylinders, a day before the incident, and did not know that drugs were inside.
Under caution by the said police, Anderson confessed that Williams had placed the cylinders in his taxi for transport.

Magistrate Liverpool, in her ruling, noted that she was satisfied that Williams had knowledge, possession and control of the cocaine, which was stashed inside of the two gas cylinders.

She further stressed that the manner in which the cylinders were cut indicated that Williams intended to traffic the narcotics.

Although Williams’ attorney, George Thomas, had begged the court for leniency, Magistrate Liverpool imposed the maximum sentence on the defendant.
Williams will have to serve five years behind bars and was ordered to pay a fine of $136M.