Two baggage handlers employed at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri who allegedly allowed cocaine to be transported to New York, were remanded to prison yesterday when they appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court.

Nineteen-year-old Mark Lim of Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara and Ryan Mangah, 29, of Lot 32 Public Road, Timehri, East Bank Demerara, both pleaded not guilty to the charge of conspiracy to traffic in narcotics.

It is alleged that on March 24, Lim and Mangah, being employed as Red Caps (baggage carriers) at the CJIA, allowed 18 kilogrammes of cocaine to be shipped to the John F Kennedy (JFK) International Airport in New York.

The prosecution stated that on the day in question, Mangah gave the shipment of cocaine, which was concealed in a bag under the name “Reginald Singh”, to Lim, who in turn allowed it to pass through the airport’s system.

The prosecution stated that this act was recorded on camera at the airport and officers traced the bag when it had arrived at JFK.

The prosecution objected to bail for the duo and requested that they both be remanded to prison while investigations in the matter continue.

According to information received, two other persons who were arrested along with Mangah and Lim, are currently in police custody assisting with investigations.

The magistrate subsequently ordered that both Mangah and Lim be remanded to prison and transferred the case to the Providence Magistrate’s Court for April 6.