Venezuelan sailor gets 14 years for cocaine

Daniel Patino of San Cristobal, Venezuela, pleaded guilty to four cocaine charges laid against him by both police and Customs officers after appearing before Magistrate Lianne Lee Kim in the Port-of-Spain Fourth Court.

The Venezuelan national was held last Wednesday by OCNU officers after disembarking the C Prowler vessel in Chaguaramas.

Reports state that Patino was held with 4.67 kilogrammes of cocaine which was hidden in his luggage. The drugs have an estimated street value of $2 million.

Following his arrest, Patino was charged by an OCNU officer for possession of the illegal drug for the purpose of trafficking.

He was also charged by Customs officials for importing a prohibited item in a concealed manner to deceive the Customs and Excise Division of Trinidad and Tobago, making a false declaration to Customs and a third charge for importing a prohibited good.

With the aid of interpreter Suzanna Sahadeo-Garib, Patino, in his defence, told the court that the drugs did not belong to him, but he was only being used to transport the item.

The accused man also said the drugs, which were not destined for Trinidad, were supposed to earn him a payment of US$5,000.

"I understand what you are saying, but the law is clear. There are consequences for this type of offence, and a maximum penalty that goes with it," the magistrate told the accused.

With the assistance of the interpreter, the magistrate informed the accused that he was sentenced to five years imprisonment for the trafficking charge and three years each to cover the three other Customs charges. All charges are to run concurrently.