Collin Hooper, the South Ruimveldt Park man who allegedly flushed a quantity of cocaine down a toilet during a Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) raid at his home, was yesterday charged with having cocaine for trafficking.
Hooper, 40, of 49 Blue Sackie Drive, South Ruimveldt Park, who denied the charge after it was read by Magistrate Fabayo Azore in Georgetown, was remanded to prison.
It is alleged that on February 2nd, at 49 Blue Sackie Drive, Georgetown, Hooper had four grammes of cocaine in his possession for trafficking.
Police Prosecutor Stephen Telford, who appeared on behalf of CANU, told the court that on the day in question CANU agents went to the defendant’s home, where a search was conducted and the drugs were found.
A source had previously told this newspaper that upon being alerted that his house was about to be searched, Hooper attempted to flush some of the cocaine down the toilet. However, ranks managed to retrieve a small quantity from the pipes leading to the septic tank.
Several traces of suspected cocaine residue were also discovered in various parts of the house, the source had said.
Hooper’s attorney, James Bond, yesterday told the court that the narcotics were not found on his client, nor any of the adults or children or property concerning the man. He added that the police were at the defendant’s home for about 18 hours. Bond further noted that CANU ranks broke pipes and the sceptic tank of an adjoining premises and found the narcotics. The attorney further stated that during the time the search was conducted, there was a prolonged period of blackout.
He then requested that his client be granted bail.
Bail was, however, denied by the magistrate and the matter was then adjourned to today, when it will be heard by the Chief Magistrate.
