Drug case against Bolivians dismissed

The case against three Bolivians who were allegedly found with cocaine last year aboard a minibus that was heading to the city en route from Lethem was dismissed at the Christianburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday for want of prosecution.

A police constable who was the main witness and was scheduled to testify at the trial failed to show up and the Magistrate after putting down the case to give the officer more time, dismissed it the second time it was called that day.

The police in a press released issued last night said the policeman, Constable Sobers was in Georgetown uplifting exhibits which comprised the Analyst Certificate and the sample. When the case was called at around 9:20 am the prosecutor informed the court that Sobers was to testify but that he was not present. The matter was then put down for 10:30 am for Sobers to be present.

When it was called a second time and Sobers was still to show the prosecutor asked for an arrest warrant for the officer but this was denied by the Magistrate. According to the police, the Magistrate stated that he had personally warned Sobers to be present in Court on February 5, 2007. The case was then dismissed.

The police said Sobers had been present in court with the Certificate and sample on three previous occasions but no evidence was taken from him.

The three Bolivians were arrested and charged after they were found in possession of 3 kg, 404 grams of cocaine in a minibus at McKenzie, Linden on August 12, 2007.