No-show State attorney delays cocaine in pouch case

Three men charged with conspiracy to traffic cocaine in a pouch belonging to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs appeared before a Port-of-Spain magistrate yesterday for yet another time. Appearing before Magistrate Lianne Lee Kim were Micah Smith, employee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kurt Alexis, a former employee of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, and Bissoon Boodhai, financial accountant at the Trinidad and Tobago High Commission in London.

Court police prosecutor, Sgt George informed the magistrate that the file concerning the matter had been sent to the DPP. With that said, Lee Kim told the attorneys representing the three accused that a State attorney would be assigned some time soon, and they should then be able to proceed with the matter. Attorney representing Boodhai, former Deputy DPP Rangee Dolsingh, informed the Magistrate that he was ready to proceed with the matter, but was told he would have to wait until a State attorney is assigned to deal with the case. In response, Dolsingh explained that his client’s family was affected greatly by the delay of the preliminary inquiry. It is alleged that during the period November 30, 2003 and May 8, 2004 in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and elsewhere, Boodhai and Smith conspired with Alexis to traffic cocaine, contrary to common law. The matter was then adjourned to October 27.