Tuesday, December 5 2006

TWO witnesses testified yesterday in the Monos Island drug bust inquiry before Magistrate Lianne Lee Kim in the Port-of-Spain Fourth Magistrates’ Court.

Alan Charles Fitzwilliam, a company director, and son of one of the owners of the premises on which the $700 million drug bust took place, was questioned briefly by Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard. Defence attorneys Oscar King, Ian Brooks and Elvis O’Connor reserved the witness for cross examination.

Four Venezuelans and three locals stand charged with trafficking 1,735 kilos of cocaine after being arrested during a “sting” operation at Monos Island on August 23, 2005.

Venezuelans Alonzo Valera, Cesar Perreira, Freddie Garcia and Darwin Gonzales appeared alongside Victor “Hilo” Sylvester, Ramon Jarvis and Shaheed Ali in the dock before Lee Kim. They were aided by official court interpreter Merchison Elli.

The men have also been charged with possession of firearms and ammunition. Ali and Sylvester are represented by attorneys Oscar King and Elvis O’Connor respectively.

Venezuelans Valera, Perreira, Garcia and Gonzales are represented alongside Jarvis by attorney Ian Brooks.

Also testifying yesterday was Police Inspector in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department’s Western Division, Anthony Lezama. Lezama — who is the police complainant in the matter — was recalled to continue the testimony he began on November 30.

The inquiry continues today.