Magistrate Hazel Octive-Hamilton yesterday ordered that a Charlestown woman be remanded to prison when she appeared before her for allegedly being found with a quantity of cocaine stashed in false compartments in her suitcases at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri.

Robbina James

Robbina James had pleaded not guilty at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court to a summary charge of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

She denied that on July 13, at the CJIA, she had two kilogrammes and nine grammes of cocaine in her possession for the purpose of trafficking.

The prosecution lead by Cadet Officer Frank Thompson had requested that the defendant be remanded to prison and that the case be transferred to the Providence Magistrate’s Court.

The prosecution noted that James was intercepted by officers with the cocaine in the false compartments of her suitcases at the airport before boarding a flight en route to Barbados.

The magistrate then refused bail for the unrepresented James and ordered that the matter be transferred to the Providence Magistrate’s Court for July 19.