Enmore man charged over cocaine in fish netted at airport

The man who allegedly tried to ship nearly 194 lbs of cocaine hidden in seafood at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) was yesterday charged with possession of drugs for trafficking and was remanded to prison.

The cocaine in seafood that was discovered at CJIA. (Guyana Police Force photo)
The cocaine in seafood that was discovered at CJIA. (Guyana Police Force photo)

The city court of Magistrate Leron Daly heard that on August 9, at the CJIA, Kapil Haresh Thakurian, 32, of 532 Enmore/Foulis, East coast Demerara, had in his possession 88.2 kilogrammes of cocaine (equivalent to 194.4 pounds) for trafficking.

Thakurian pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Kapil Haresh Thakurian
Kapil Haresh Thakurian

According to Thakurian’s lawyer, Peter Hugh, his client had no knowledge that the drugs were in the seafood. Hugh told the court that since the matter is still being investigated by the police, he needed a disclosure of the statements.

Police Prosecutor Shevon Jupiter objected to bail being granted to the accused.

Bail for Thakurian was subsequently refused by the magistrate, who adjourned the case until August 26 for statements.

The police, in a statement, had said that around 6.40pm on Tuesday, the ranks of the Police Narcotics Branch intercepted a cargo shipment of thirty-five boxes of seafood, eight of which contained a total of 88.2 kilos of cocaine.