South African charged with trafficking cocaine

A 27-YEAR-OLD South African who excreted 1.22 kilos of cocaine during a four-day period at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital, finally appeared in court yesterday and offered to plead guilty to the charge of trafficking in narcotics. Benjamin Amos, a store manager, appeared before Magistrate Andrew Stroude in the Port-of-Spain Fourth Magistrates’ Court charged with possession of the cocaine at Piarco International Airport on December 5. It was alleged that Amos swallowed 83 pellets containing the cocaine when he was caught at the airport. At the time, he was about to board BWIA flight 900 bound for London, en route to South Africa.

After swallowing the cocaine, Amos was taken to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital where he excreted the pellets between December 6 and 10. He was charged on Monday, and yesterday appeared in court. Amos informed the court that he wanted to plead guilty to the charge, but he was told by  Stroude that the charge was laid indictably and therefore he could not plead. However, the court informed the accused that the prosecutor will have to write to the Director of Public Prosecutions to indicate the intention of the foreigner to plead guilty. Amos told the court that he was visited by a representative of the South African Embassy, but the issue of an attorney did not arise. He said the embassy official promised to return.

In the meantime, the investigating police officer and a senior customs official produced the cocaine in court. Right away, a stench kicked up causing the prosecutor, the note taker, and other police personnel in the courtroom to block their noses. In a black plastic bag, the police produced several clear plastic bags containing the pellets, detailing the dates on which the pellets were excreted. During the exercise, Amos acknowledged that the various quantities were excreted from him at hospital. The court prosecutor, acting Inspector Roodal Harilal, also produced in court, Amos’ South African passport, an airline ticket to London, another ticket to South Africa, a departure slip, and a boarding pass.

Stroude told the accused he was not going to grant bail on the ground that there has to be an Interpol tracing done on him. He also said that based on the amount of cocaine excreted, he could not grant bail, but advised the South African to apply to a judge in chambers. The magistrate said the court would retain the travel documents until Amos is ready to leave Trinidad. Although Amos indicated his intention to plead guilty, the magistrate ordered that the cocaine be sent to the Forensic Science Centre for analysis. The magistrate remanded Amos in custody and adjourned further hearing to December 28.