Two men were on Friday remanded to prison for possession of cocaine, while another was placed on bail for aiding in the trafficking of narcotics.
The accused 47-year-old Colin Alfred of La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara (WBD), 28-year-old Terrence Bentinck of Lot ‘M’ 52 Guyhoc Gardens, Georgetown, and 27-year-old Jason Defreitas, also known as ‘White Boy’, of Lot 752 Phase 2 North Farm, East Bank Demerara (EBD) are all facing narcotics-related charges before the court.
They appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty.
Alfred and Bentinck were jointly charged with possession of 11.148 kilograms of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, while Defreitas was separately charged for aiding in the commission of the said quantity of cocaine.
Bentinck and Alfred pleaded not guilty to the charge, which alleged that on May 7, 2025, at Sussex Street, Albouystown, Georgetown, they had in their possession 11.148 kilograms of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.
According to the prosecutor, ranks of the Customs Anti Narcotic Unit (CANU) acted on intelligence received and went to Sussex Street, Georgetown, where they observed Alfred walking with a black bag toward a silver Toyota Allion.
Alfred was seen handing the bag to Bentinck, who was waiting near the vehicle. The officers approached, identified themselves, and informed the men that a search would be conducted.
Upon checking the bag, they discovered several parcels containing a white powdery substance suspected to be cocaine. Both men were arrested and taken to CANU’s headquarters, where the substance was tested and confirmed to be cocaine.
While under caution, Alfred admitted that Defreitas paid him $400,000 to deliver the drugs and that Bentinck had contacted him to collect the package.
Bentinck remained silent during questioning. The prosecutor noted that Alfred claimed he believed the money was for purchasing beers, which was not unusual, but later admitted to knowing the true purpose.
In court, Bentinck’s attorney, Adrian Thompson, argued that his client was not in possession of the bag and relied on CCTV and body camera footage to support the claim.
However, the prosecution maintained that the footage would confirm both Alfred and Bentinck were in possession of the bag and that Bentinck held it during the bust.
The prosecutor further stated that Defreitas later turned himself in after seeing a wanted bulletin and that although nothing was found on him, his silence and demeanour were considered during the investigation.
The prosecution objected to bail for all three, citing the gravity of the offence and Alfred’s admissions linking the parties.
Nonetheless, Alfred, who was unrepresented, and Bentinck were remanded to prison until May 12, 2025.
Defreitas, who pleaded not guilty and was represented by attorney Siand Dhurjon, was granted $500,000 bail with strict conditions, including mandatory reporting to CANU’s Headquarters on the first and third Friday of each month. He was also ordered to return to court on May 12, 2025.
