Pregnant woman, husband busted with cocaine at CJIA remanded

[www.inewsguyana.com] – A pregnant Canadian citizen and her reputed husband who were recently busted with a large quantity of cocaine at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) were on Monday, February 02 remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

The woman, Rohbina Basdeoram, 29, and her husband, Mahendra Ramsuchit, 25, of Rose Hall, East Canje Berbice were charged separately with possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

It is alleged that on January 30 at CJIA, Ramsuchit had 10.392 kilogrammes of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. His wife was charged with having 10.968 kilogrammes of cocaine in her possession for the purpose of trafficking at the same time and place.

They pleaded not guilty. Police Prosecutor, Michael Grant said that on the day in question, Ramsuchit and Basdeoram were scheduled to depart from CJIA for Toronto, Canada via Fly Jamaica flight OJ 157. He said that they boarded the flight using the VIP lounge and were not subjected to a search.

According to Grant, it was an airline staff who noticed that the couple was not listed on the VIP list and they were asked to disembark the aircraft.

The Court heard that the rank noticed the two acting in a suspicious manner and a search of their laptop bags and suitcases was conducted by a rank from the Police Narcotics Branch. It was then that the drug was unearthed.

Grant told the Court that under caution, the couple admitted knowledge of the drug.

A field test was conducted at CJIA which showed that the substance found was cocaine.

Ramsuchit was represented by Attorney-at-Law Haymant Ramdhani. He said that the 25-year-old holds a Canada temporary residence card and shares one child with Basdeoram. Ramdhani said Ramsuchit has no prior charges and is not a flight risk.

Meanwhile, Attorney-at-Law Lennox Hanoman represented Basdeoram. He said she is seven-months pregnant and is due to deliver in April. He said the Canadian resident has to return to her country to deliver the baby.

According to him, this is the first time that Basdeoram has ever been charged. The lawyers asked for bail.

Bail was nevertheless refused and the case will be called again on February 13.