South African jailed for cocaine

Amos was found guilty on Tuesday before Magistrate Deborah Quintyne in the Arima Magistrates Court. He was jailed for two years for being in possession of 1.2 kilos of cocaine. He was also fined $40,000 or two years for attempting to export the drug.

The court heard that on December 5, 2004, Amos was about to board BWIA flight 900 to London when he was confronted by members of the Organised Crime and Narcotics Unit (OCNU). He was suspected of swallowing cocaine.

He was taken to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital and detained at Ward 14. Between December 6 and 10, he excreted 83 pellets of cocaine valued at $500,000. He was in custody up to the time the sentence was passed..

In another matter, two British citizens appeared in the Arima Court on Tuesday charged with attempting to export cocaine to England.

Wayne Harris, 26, of London was about to board BW flight 900 to London when he was questioned by OCNU officers. During a search, it was alleged that the police found 700 grammes of cocaine valued $300,000 neatly packed in a plaque.

On the same night, Iveren Seese, 19, also of London was held after police reportedly found 1.2 kilos of cocaine valued at $700,000 in her luggage. Both were charged with possession of cocaine and attempting to export the drugs.

They appeared in court and were remanded in custody to re-appear on July 13.