Pensioner on drug trafficking charge after cocaine-in-shoes bust

Roderick Andrew Chase
Roderick Andrew Chase

Roderick Andrew Chase, the 66-year-old pensioner who was allegedly nabbed earlier this week with a quantity of cocaine concealed in his shoes at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri, was yesterday remanded to prison on a drug trafficking charge.

Chase appeared before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Providence Magistrate’s Court, where he was charged with possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

The charge states that Chase, on August 13th, 2019, at the CJIA, Timehri, had 290 grammes (equivalent to 0.6 pounds) of cocaine in his possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Chase, who was represented by attorney George Thomas, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

He was subsequently remanded to prison and is set to make his next court appearance on August 30th.

According to police, the narcotics were found on the accused around 4 pm on Tuesday as the man was going through security checks. The man, who celebrated his birthday on the same day, was at the time an outgoing passenger on a Caribbean Airlines flight destined for the United States. He did not have any luggage.