US man jailed for four years over heroin found in suitcase

A United States citizen was yesterday sentenced to a four-year prison term after he was found guilty of possession of heroin that was discovered in his suitcase at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri (CJIA) in 2009.

Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry delivered the sentence after finding that Jose Emanuel Rojas, 28, of 11433 and 128 Street, Ozone Park, Queens, New York was guilty of a charge of narcotics possession for the purpose of trafficking, stemming from the discovery on November 25, 2009.

He had been accused of having 1.208 grammes of heroin in his suitcase, which he had denied when he was arraigned. Rojas was granted bail months after on the condition that his passport and other legal documents must be lodged.

Rojas was found guilty by the court due to the evidence which was enough to convict him, including his admission that he had packed the suitcase.

In addition to the prison sentence, the magistrate also imposed a $30,000 fine.