East Canje man on trafficking charge after airport cocaine bust

Bothram Garnette, an East Canje resident who was allegedly found with a quantity of cocaine concealed in false walls of his suitcase, was yesterday refused bail after he appeared in a city court on a drug trafficking charge.

Garnette, called ‘Barber,’ 35, of Lot 265 Second Street, Number 2 Village, East Canje, Berbice, pleaded not guilty after the charge of possession of narcotics for trafficking was read to him by Magistrate Ann McLennan in a city court.

It is alleged that on June 26, at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Garnette had 12.294 kilogrammes of cocaine.

Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) Prosecutor Oswald Massiah told the court that Garnette was an outgoing passenger on a flight destined for the United States of America when a search was conducted on his suitcase and the cocaine was found concealed in four false walls.

Attorney Peter Hugh, who represented Garnette, did not make a bail application during yesterday proceedings. Instead, he made a request for the statements in the matter, which will be called again on July 13.