A 37-year-old beautician was on Thursday sentenced to three years in prison and fined G$1,117,200 when she appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts for trafficking cocaine.
Natasha Blair of Grove Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara (EBD) pleaded guilty to the charge after it was read to her by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.
The charge stated that on July 2, 2018, while she was an outgoing passenger at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri she attempted to smuggle 532 grams of cocaine.
Facts presented to the court stated that on the day in question, the woman was destined for the JFK International Airport when a CANU officer, acting on information received, approached Blair and told her of his suspicion to which she subsequently denied. The mother of two was then cautioned and taken to a medical facility where an x-ray exam revealed foreign objects in her stomach.
She was admitted, and subsequently excreted 32 pellets containing suspected cocaine which weighed 322 grams. Moreover the woman had also inserted 210 grams of cocaine in her lower extremity, which was also removed.
According to the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), Blair used her body to accomplish ‘two risky concealment methods’, that is, ingestion and insertion.
Blair’s attorney, Keoma Griffith, asked that the court show compassion for his client since it was an unfortunate risk she took while citing that she has an 11-month-old baby.
Further, the woman was asked if she had anything she wanted to say and she replied “I’m sorry for causing my family any hurt and pain but I did it for my kids”. The tearful woman said as she apologized for her crime.
Meanwhile, CANU said that they are now in search of the father of the suspect’s child for questioning into the discovery.
He has been identified as Sherwin Stoby called “Kong”. His last know addressed was given as Lot 87 Roxanne Burnham Gardens, Georgetown.
