Women jailed, fined $3.9M for trafficking cocaine

Two women were on Tuesday fined $3.9M and sentenced to 3 years and 9 months in prison for trafficking cocaine.

Shellon Yolanda Barrow, 36 of Victoria Street, Albouystown and Krissy Latoya Griffith, a 38-year-old hairdresser of Norton Street, Georgetown were on trial before City Magistrate Faith McGusty and were found guilty.

Barrow was on trial for having 1.638 kilograms of cocaine in her possession on September 15, 2018, at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri for the purpose of trafficking.

Meanwhile, Griffith between September 14, 2018, and September 15, 2018, at the Sun Set Hotel, Kitty, Georgetown, aided Barrow in the quest to transport the narcotics.

The court heard that on September 14, 2018, Griffith met with Barrow at the Sun Set Hotel, Kitty and handed over the suitcase in which the cocaine was concealed.

On September 15, Barrow was busted at the airport while attempting to board an aircraft destined for Jamaica.

Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) officer Narissa Leander told the court that Barrow gave confession statements to CANU officers and detailed what transpired, which led to the arrest of Griffith.

She added that there is video footage from the hotel showing the exchange between Griffith to Barrow.

Magistrate McGusty, before handing down the sentence considered the seriousness of the charge and the need to prevent others from committing a similar crime.