A drug trafficker was today sentenced to prison by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts when she found him guilty of trafficking in narcotics.
Bothram Garnette, 35, called ‘Barber’ of Lot 265 Second Street, Number 2 Village, East Canje, Berbice, was on trial for a charge which read that on June 26, 2015 at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), he had in his possession 12.294 kilograms of cocaine.
During the trial, the Prosecution said Garnette was an outgoing passenger on a flight destined for the United States when a search was conducted on his suitcase and the cocaine found concealed in four false walls.
On his initial Court appearance, Garnette was denied bail, however, he was later granted bail by the High Court in the sum of $2,000,000.
Before the ruling, the Chief Magistrate explained that she considered the evidence of the Prosecution’s witnesses, as well as the Defence’s evidence which was led by the accused’s unsworn statement. She said she disbelieved Garnette’s story and had found that he was indeed in possession of the suitcase which he attempted to use as a means to traffic the drugs out of Guyana.
After finding him guilty, and taking into consideration the prevalence of the offence as well as the quantum, she sentenced him to four years and ten months in prison, as well as a fine of $36,892,000.
I am so pissed off about now . Worst embarrassing crime for our once beautiful country. This is getting out of hand. Because of these mules . Selected out going passengers get harrassed .