Dataram, reputed wife fled country – source

Although Magistrate Judy Latchman issued arrest warrants for both Barry Dataram and his reputed wife, Anjanie Boodnarine, a source close to the family confirmed that the duo has fled the country.

Guyana Times Internationalwas told that the self-confessed drug trafficker and his reputed wife, who were due to appear at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday, absconded sometime over the weekend. The duo, along with Komal Charran and Trevor Gouveia, was expected to be present for the court’s ruling on a cocaine trafficking charge.

The four were on trial for allegedly being in possession of 129.230 kilograms of cocaine. The Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) reported that the narcotics were found in shrimp on April 16, 2015, at Dataram’s residence, located at Lot 661 Silver Dam, Fourth Avenue, Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara.

The family source claimed that the couple’s two children were left with relatives, noting that the couple left for neighbouring Suriname.

Dataram, who was once wanted by US authorities for conspiracy to traffic cocaine and cocaine trafficking, had accused CANU ranks of facilitating the shipment of cocaine out of Guyana.

Following the revelation, CANU’s Head, James Singh said Dataram’s “savagery” against CANU may be as a result of his uneasiness owing to the commencement of his trial.

However, President David Granger had ordered an inquest into the allegations against the CANU officers.

The inquest was conducted by Brigadier Bruce Lovell over a two-month period. After completing the inquest, Lovell stated that he was positive that the Government would find favour with the recommendations, as well as the conclusions and take the appropriate actions.

During the trial, a CANU rank testified that 428 parcels of plastic wrapped cocaine were seized from Dataram’s home at Diamond. He added that the parcels were in a white fridge.

On Tuesday, Magistrate Latchman cautioned that if Charran and Gouveia failed to return to court on September 23, arrest warrants would also be issued and she would not recall the case. The Magistrate is expected to deliver her verdict in the case on Friday. If found guilty, both Dataram and his reputed wife can be sentenced in their absence.