FOUR years after he was convicted of drug trafficking, Mark Gomes, was, on Monday,
released on $200,000 bail after he denied possession of a quantity of cocaine which was allegedly found in his Craig Street, Campbellville home.

Gomes appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and pleaded not guilty to having 24.4 grams of cocaine in his possession for the purpose of trafficking, on September 9, 2022.

He was represented by attorney-at-law Siand Dhurjon, who made an application for reasonable bail.

The Chief Magistrate released Gomes on $200,000 bail and adjourned the matter until October 3.

According to a release from the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), Gomes, along with his father, Andre Gomes called ‘Zipper’, who owns D&D Pawn Shop, was arrested during a drug operation on September 9, at Lots 32 and 34 Craig Street.

During the search, CANU officers discovered a wooden shed on one of the properties. The ranks found two red cylinders containing several cocaine packets stashed inside the shed’s floorboard.

The defendant’s father is still in custody as the investigation is ongoing.

In 2018, he was convicted of drug trafficking following a trial before the Chief Magistrate.

He was sentenced to four years in prison together with a $6 million fine for trafficking almost five pounds of cocaine in gas bottles. However, he appealed that sentencing and conviction.

He is currently out on bail pending the hearing of his appeal.