Accused drug traffickers back in court

THREE MEN charged with trafficking almost $3 million in cocaine and heroin re-appeared yesterday  before Senior Magistrate Lianne Lee Kim in the Port-of-Spain Fourth Magistrates’ Court.

Martin Noreiga, 34, of Southern Main Road, Rousillac, was charged with possession of 6.32 kilos of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. He was allegedly held on Wednesday with a green and black knapsack containing six packages of cocaine. Ian Little, 27, of Abby Street, South Oropouche, and Sheldon Edwards, 19, of Lawrence Street, San Fernando were charged with trafficking 1.6 kilos of cocaine and 1.12 kilos of heroin respectively. A black plastic bag containing one pink package of cocaine and two brown packages of heroin were reportedly found in their possession. Officers of the Organised Crime and Narcotics Unit held the three men during a sting operation at the Shoppes of Maraval on Wednesday. The charges were laid indictably and they were not called upon to plead.

The accused had previously appeared before a Port-of-Spain Magistrate on Thursday, but were remanded in custody and their matters transferred to the Fourth Court. Bail applications were made yesterday by defence attorneys Ian Brooks and Patrick Godson-Phillip. Police prosecutor PC Dillon said the Fingerprints Bureau was unable to complete tracing of the defendants’ criminal records in time as the department was short staffed. However, Brooks admitted to the court that Noreiga and Little had matters pending at the Point Fortin Magistrates’ Court. He said they were always present at the court for their matters. He added the police had no proof that the two men showed any inclination not to appear in court for past matters. He said Edwards had no previous convictions or pending matters. Magistrate Lee Kim granted Edwards bail with a surety of $200,000 to be approved by a Clerk of the Peace. She then advised Noreiga and Little of their right to apply to a judge in chambers for bail. All three are to re-appear in court next Friday.