The four Canadians who were held at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on Tuesday appeared at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court yesterday charged with trafficking in narcotics.
Antonietta Saravella, 37; Oronella Saravella, 34; Giovanni Calabrese, 34; and Jean Claude Gouthier, 61; all of Quebec, Canada pleaded not guilty when Magistrate Hazel Octive-Hamilton read the charge to them.
Oronella Saravella and Calabrese were charged jointly. It is alleged that on May 6 at CJIA, Timehri, East Bank Demerara the duo had in their possession three kilogrammes (kg) 181 grammes (g) of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. Antonietta Saravella and Gouthier were charged separately. It is alleged that Antonietta Saravella and Gouthier had in their possession 1kg 818g and 3kg 181g of cocaine, respectively for the purpose of trafficking.
Attorney-at-law Vic Puran represented the four accused. He commenced his submissions to the court by saying, “They [the four accused] will all be remanded,” and requested the court adjourn the matter to an early date. Puran also indicated that he intended employing the new plea bargaining legislation in the case.
Responding to Puran’s statement that his clients would be remanded, Magistrate Octive-Hamilton said “no comment”. However, she subsequently remanded the four Canadians to prison after Puran failed to present to the court, as specified in the relevant act in the Laws of Guyana, special circumstances why bail should be granted.
The matter was transferred to the Providence Magistrate’s Court for report and fixture on May 21.
The Saravella sisters, Calabrese and Gouthier stood silently as the charges were read to them. “Not guilty” were the only words they uttered to the court. Calabrese and Oronella Saravella held hands in the courtroom after the charge was read to them; they were heard uttering reassuring words to each other.
“Don’t worry,” Calabrese told Oronella. “Things will be alright.”
