Court hears of difference in cocaine weightBy ALEXANDER BRUZUAL Friday, July 2 2010
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Vernon De Lima...
The director of the Trinidad and Tobago Forensic Science Centre, Arlette Lewis, yesterday testified that the 18 packets of drugs which were found at the home of a St Ann’s man in 1998 weighed a total of 18.712 kilogrammes.
It was approximately seven kilogrammes less than the weight measured by officers from the then known Organised Crime and Narcotics Unit (OCNU).
Lewis was testifying before Justice Gillian Lucky in the Port-of-Spain Sixth Criminal Court in the trial of Rick Gomes, 47, who is before the courts on a four count indictment on charges of possession of cocaine and the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.
She was led in evidence by Special Prosecutor Dana Seetahal, SC, and cross-examined by Gomes’ defence attorney Vernon De Lima. Randall Hector also appeared for the State, while Faraaz Mohammed appeared alongside De Lima.
During her testimony, Lewis explained the process of measuring the weight of drugs used by the Forensic Science Centre.
She told the court it was possible for readings to vary depending on, among other things, how the scales or balances were used, and how often they were calibrated to ensure accurate readings.
When questioned by De Lima, Lewis said she did not expect the balances used by the OCNU to be regularly calibrated in 1998, as then, there were not many conflicts in readings before the courts between the Unit and the Forensic Science Centre. However, she added that she expected the procedure to be in place now.
Retired police inspector Herman Fournillier and retired police photographer Brendan Mack also testified.
Fournillier reiterated that the scale used by the OCNU had never been calibrated during his 12 years of duty at the office, despite such suggestions to his senior officers. He admitted to knowing the scale was “off.” However, he said it was not his responsibility to ensure the scale was corrected. He said he had complained about it, but nothing was done, and as such the office continued to use the instrument in its condition.
The matter is scheduled to resume on July 20, after the nine-member jury and six alternates, unanimously agreed to return despite the extended adjourn date.
The decision of the jurors was heavily praised by Lucky, who noted that their level of commitment was a benefit and a compliment to the jury system. She assured that the court would continue the matter in a timely fashion, and will not waste any further time.
On May 15, 1998, Gomes was arrested at his home at #37 Spanish Villas, Mt Hololo, St Ann’s, when police officers while executing a search warrant, seized 17 packets of cocaine, which were found on a table where Gomes was sitting. An additional packet of cocaine was found in a car outside. Police also discovered a firearm and four rounds of ammunition.
