Two remanded following cocaine bust in Parika

Two men who were allegedly caught with over 61 pounds of cocaine on board a fibreglass vessel at Parika Backdam, East Bank Essequibo, were on Wednesday remanded to prison.

Thirty-five-year old Latchman Sankar called ‘Jack’ and 49-year-old Muneswar Dusrajh called ‘Bonny’, appeared before Magistrate Christel Lambert at the Wales Magistrate’s Court and pleaded not guilty to the joint drug trafficking charge.

It is alleged that on February 22, 2020, at Parika Backdam, the duo had 27.866 kilograms of cocaine in their possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Prosecutor of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) Konyo Sandiford said the two men were arrested following a two-week operation by CANU ranks.

The cocaine was found lodged in the bow of the vessel which had two 250 horsepower engines.

The Prosecutor objected to bail and the two were remanded to prison until March 13, 2020; the case was transferred to the Leonora Magistrate’s Court.

CANU had also issued an arrest warrant for businessman Ryan Pemberton called ‘Sancho’ of Alberttown, Georgetown who is wanted in connection with the drug bust.

Pemberton reportedly threatened to kill the CANU ranks after they intercepted the boat. He also threatened to “shoot-up” the CANU headquarters.

Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Pemberton is asked to make contact with the Unit on 226-0431.