Woman on $10M coke charge denied bail

A WOMAN, who is jointly charged with a Colombian and a Venezuelan for trafficking $10 million in cocaine was yesterday denied bail when she appeared before a San Fernando magistrate. Instead, Deputy Chief Magistrate Mark Wellington advised accused Lisa Lutchmie Bharat, 28, of Piparo, of her right to apply to a Judge in Chambers for bail. Defence attorney Mario Merritt, representing Venezuelan Carlos Olivares and Colombian Ferney Bohorquez, both 30, asked for the prosecution to state the strength of their case, as that could be the reason bail was denied. Bharat was not represented by counsel yesterday, while Merritt’s clients were not in court. Merritt said Madame Justice Carol Gobin and Justice Mark Mohammed indicated that the defence ought to have disclosure of the prosecution’s case, so as to complete the bail application.

Merritt was told by Magistrate Wellington that the court could ask that of the prosecution and not the defence. Wellington then asked court prosecutor acting Sgt Joey Samaroo for the evidence. Acting Sgt Samaroo said one of the foreign nationals possessed a passport and both the Colombian and Venezuelan accused came to this country by pirogue. “They were held at the Gulf City car park at 10.40 am. The alleged drug was found in the seat of the car. All three occupants were inside the vehicle,” Samaroo said. Wellington stated that he was not interested in releasing information at this time. He also stated that considering the quantum of cocaine allegedly found, he was not minded to grant bail. The matter was adjourned to December 20.