Monos Island drug accused gets pox in jail

Sylvester, 37, of St Ann’s Road, Carenage, did not make it to court yesterday because of his latest ailment. However, the other seven accused were brought to court about 11 am because of a lack of security escort for their earlier transportation to court. Additionally, resident magistrate of the Port-of-Spain Fourth Magisterial Court (narcotics court), Lianne Lee Kim, did not make it to court yesterday. Holding for her was Magistrate Andrew Stroud.

Sylvester’s attorneys Ian Brooks and Anthony Bullock had pleaded for their client to be given bail on medical grounds last Thursday, but police prosecutor acting Insp Kenneth Cordner objected, indicating that Sylvester and the others needed to be traced by Interpol.

However, Cordner yesterday explained that Sylvester and the other Trinidadian, Shaheed Ali, had been traced, and as a result of this and other information, he would no longer object to bail for Sylvester or Ali. He would object to bail for the others.

The court also noted that while Sylvester had been to court on a few occasions prior to this matter, he has no criminal record. However, Ali, who is being represented by attorney Gordon Lamming, has a few matters including one pending for larceny of a boat engine. Brooks also complained that despite efforts being made by the Prisons Authority, Sylvester was not getting his meals, which he must take with his medication.

After a brief discussion, Brooks agreed to make his application for bail before Magistrate Lee Kim. He received an early adjournment date — next Monday.

The eight men were arrested on August 23, 2005, after police and Coast Guard officers seized more than 17,000 kilogrammes of cocaine at Passy Bay, Monos Island.

Those arrested are Victor Sylvester; Shaheed Ali, 30, of John Street, Cocorite; Antiguan Ramon Javis, 46, of Jolly Bay, Antigua and Venezuelans Edwin Javier Maraval Rodriguez, 33, of Carapano; Alonzo Valera, 35, of Valencia; Casar Pereira, 35, of Guiria; Freddie Garcia, 34, of Caracas and Darwin Gonzalez, 24, of La Pastoria, Caracas. The police also seized seven firearms, including an Uzi, an SLR and an Armalite Rifle, and 247 rounds of ammunition.

The men were charged with trafficking in cocaine, conspiracy to traffick cocaine and possession of guns and ammunition.

Prosecutor Cordner told the court that he had contacted the Venezuelan Embassy to inform the consul of the arrests of their nationals.

No one from the embassy was present in court yesterday, but after enquiry by Magistrate Stroud, Brooks explained that his information was that the Venezuelans were visited in jail by their consul. When they appeared in court last week, they had asked that the Embassy be contacted so that their relatives could be informed of their predicament.

Cordner also explained to the court that Interpol was still running a trace to ascertain if any of the men, including the two locals, were on their files.

Javis, who is also being represented by Brooks, complained that a briefcase belonging to him containing important documents, including two passports, since he had dual citizenship, and jewelry, was seized by the police at the time of his arrest, and would like it returned.

Acting Insp Anthony Leezama, who laid the charges, acknowledged the existence of the briefcase.

Magistrate Stroud indicated that he saw no problem in the briefcase being handed back to its owner, once it does not form part of the police case.

The matter was adjourned to September 5, 2005.