New Grant wife freed of trafficking
HIGH Court judge Herbert Volney yesterday ordered New Grant housewife Ashtee Rooplal freed of cocaine trafficking charges against her, but husband Narine remains on trial in the San Fernando High Court for trafficking 72 packets of cocaine, 32 of which turned out to be empty. After hearing legal submissions both from the State and defence attorneys, Volney ordered the nine-member jury to return a not guilty verdict. Both husband and wife of School Road had been on trial for trafficking 73.5 kilogrammes of cocaine. The State is alleging that 72 packets of cocaine were found by police in crocus bags in a room at the couple’s home on August 22, 2000. Attorneys defending the couple — Chaitram Sinanan and Selwyn Ramlal — have contended that the cocaine was found in a canefield at the back of the couple’s house. On Wednesday, the State called Forensic Science Officer Rean Maharaj, who testified that the 32 packets unaccounted for did not disintegrate, but had "disappeared." Yesterday, after hearing legal submissions from State attorney Narrissa Ramsundar, Sinanan and Ramlal, Volney gave the jury directions, and then ordered the jury to return a formal verdict of not guilty in Rooplal’s favour. The trial against husband Narine continues this morning.
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"New Grant wife freed of trafficking"