Akeem Lashley, a self-confessed drug dealer was Thursday sentenced to four years imprisonment and fined $2.3 million for the recent cocaine bust at Norton Street, Georgetown.
His paralyzed co-accused Andre Clarke, who the Customs Anti Narcotic Unit (CANU) labelled as a “known drug trafficker” was granted bail in the sum of $150, 000.
The pair appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court for allegedly trafficking 1.5 kilograms of cocaine on August 08, at Norton Street.
Lashley confessed to the charge, while Clarke pleaded not guilty.
During his address to the court, an unrepresented Lashley said, “everything is me own. I does do drugs.”
Meanwhile, Clarke’s attorney Adrian Thompson asked for his client to be released on reasonable bail given that he is paralyzed.
CANU Prosecutor Thalia Thompson told the court that Lashley was arrested at Clarke’s home and claimed ownership of the narcotics.
Thompson told the court that a search of the premises led to the discovery of four parcels containing the cocaine.
However, CANU prosecutor asked the court to consider the nature and seriousness of the offence.
She also disclosed that the incident was caught on video where Clarke also made statements alluding to his involvement in the crime
The Chief Magistrate after considering Clarke’s medical condition released him on $150,000 bail. The case was adjourned until September 05.
During the raid, three others were also arrested. They are Police Sergeant, 33-year-old Dion Bascom; Rodwell George, 54, and Serena Mentus, 19.
Clarke is no stranger to CANU as he was arrested and charged in 2011 after 590 grams of cocaine was found on his premises.
In 2018 Clarke was again fingered in a drug seizure after an associate of his was arrested on his premises with a quantity of cocaine.
