Soldier, girlfriend on drug trafficking charges

Colin Clarke, 28, of Cunupia, who was assigned to Camp Ogden in Long Circular, St James, appeared before Senior Magistrate Nanette Forde-John in the Four A Court, charged with attempting to export a prohibited substance, namely 1.853 kilogrammes of cocaine concealed in 24 packages, on April 12, through DHL courier service in El Socorro.

The charge was laid under Section 154 of the Customs Act. He was granted bail in the sum of $300,000 or an alternative of $75,000 cash bail on that charge.

Clarke, who was represented by attorneys Collin Partap and Irshard Ali, was also charged with knowingly concealing a prohibited substance, namely one package of cocaine, on April 12, at Cunupia.

That charge was laid contrary to Section 213 ( c) of the Customs Act. He also faces a charge of possession of 50 rounds of ammunition on April 12, at Cunupia. He was not granted bail on the second and third charge for which he will appear before a Chaguanas Magistrate today. He returns to court on May 11 on the Section 154 charge.

Also appearing separately before Senior Magistrate Forde- John was Charline Giles, 24, of Savannah Terrace, Diego Martin, who was charged with trafficking 1.853 kilogrammes of cocaine on April 12 at El Socorro.

She too was granted bail in the sum of $300,000 or a cash alternative of $75,000 bail.

Giles was represented by defence attorney Richard Clarke-Willis and will return to court on May 11.