PRINCIPAL Magistrate Judy Latchman on Thursday remanded a 66-year-old man to prison for trafficking a quantity of cocaine at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).

Roderick Andrew Chase, pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him at the Providence Magistrates’ Court, on Thursday, August 15, 2019.

The charge alleged that, on August 13, 2019, at the CJIA, Timehri, he had 290 grams of cocaine in his possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Chase was represented by attorney-at-law George Thomas, who made an application for bail.  The matter was prosecuted by Police Corporal Shawn Gonsalves.

According to the facts presented on August 13, 2019, Chase was an outgoing passenger on a flight for JKF airport, New York and was bound for Brooklyn.

However, the elderly man checked in at CJIA and went through the scanner.  Ranks attached to the Police Narcotics Branch stationed at the airport observed two strange objects on the scanner monitor, which showed that the defendant had two parcels stashed in his shoes.

Chase, who was celebrating his birthday on the day in question, was contacted by the ranks and his shoes were searched. The two parcels, which was wrapped in black tape was tested positive for cocaine and the elderly man was arrested.

The prosecutor objected to bail being granted to the defendant citing the seriousness of the charge.