Pawn Shop owner charged with cocaine trafficking

A Campbellville, Georgetown businessman, 57-year-old Andre Gomes known as ‘Zipper’, appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, February 1, 2018, charged with being in possession of 902 grams of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

Gomes, the owner of D&D Pawn Shop, pleaded not guilty to the charge. He was arrested following a raid on January 30, 2018, at his Lot 32 Craig Street, Campbellville home by ranks of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU).

Attorney Mark Waldon, in a bail application, told the court that the cocaine was not found in the possession of his client but in an alleyway which separates Gomes’ house.

But CANU Prosecutor, Konyo Sandiford informed the Court that there is an eyewitness, who saw the accused handling and disposing of the cocaine in a black plastic bag.

As such, the businessman was remanded to prison until February 13, 2018, when the matter will be recalled before Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan.

In August 2017, Gomes’ reputed wife, Naomi Persaud was sentenced to 4 years jail and fined $21M fine after 20 pounds of cocaine was found in a gas cylinder at the family’s Campbellville house.