Five Suspected Drug Traffickers with over 25 pounds of cocaine were granted bail in the sum of $500,000, today.
The five defendants appeared before Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus.
It is alleged that Head Contractor 60-year-old, James Hubert, a father of seven; 62-year-old, Lena Narine aka ‘Aunty Lena’; James Herbert aka Uncle James, 71-year-old; Kay Jennifer Butcher; 27- year-old Jamal Narine aka ‘Tunks’; and 47-year-old, Gregory Faria, a Surinamese National, on March 29, 2022, at Shantiniketan Street, Prashad Nagar, Georgetown allegedly had in their possession 11.4kgs of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.
Additionally, at the same location, Lena Narine had some 266 grams of ecstasy in her possession, also for the purpose of trafficking.
They all denied the allegation and were placed on $500,000 bail each. Ms. Narine had to post additional bail in the sum of $500,000 for her separate charge.
They were all also ordered to return to court on May 4.
In court, the five were represented by Attorneys at law, Dexter Todd, Nigel Hughes, and Everton Singh-Lammy.
Reports are that on the day in question, ranks from the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit, noticed a gold-colored Toyota Allex motorcar HC 577 with a Sheriff taxi logo parked on the street.
It is alleged that ranks then subsequently noticed another motorcar PSS 4046 pull up opposite the Prashad Nagar residence. Hubert reportedly came out of the said motor car with a black plastic bag in his hand and went into the house where Ms. Narine was standing at the front door.
CANU entered the yard and into the house. They reportedly saw Butcher, Narine and Faria standing in the house.
It was then ranks observed a black plastic bag on a plastic chair. A search was conducted on the plastic bag and five brown parcels with green markings were found.
They then made further checks and found a whitish substance suspected to be cocaine.
Field tests revealed there were traces of cocaine. A further search was conducted in the defendants’ presence. Under three chair cushions in the said house was a black plastic bag.
That plastic bag was searched and three brown brick-like parcels were found. These were checked and also revealed to be cocaine.
On the same day, ranks conducted another search of the motorcar HC 577 which bore the Sheriff taxi logo. They claimed that they saw Narine placing a pink bag therein.
When the search was conducted they found a quantity of grey, orange and pink pills suspected to be ecstasy.
The driver of the motorcar was arrested along with the other defendants and taken to CANU headquarters.
The ecstasy amounted to 266 grams. The same was checked in the presence of Narine and the driver of the car. The driver provided a caution statement to CANU detailing his activity and involvement with the accused and the narcotics.
Hubert in a statement under caution, indicated his involvement along with the involvement of Butcher and Narine in relation to the trafficking of narcotics.
They were all arrested, charged and taken to court today.
