Azim Baksh, called “Bato”, a 50-year-old furniture maker of Phase One Good Hope, ECD appeared before Magistrate Alisha George at the Sparendaam Magistrates’ Court to answer the drug trafficking charge.
Baksh was busted during an operation by CANU ranks on a boat at Mon Repos, East Coast, Sea Wall used for docking fishing vessels.
The charge read that Baksh on July 14th at Mon Repos Channel he trafficked 91.132 kg of cocaine and 56.008 kg of cannabis.
Baksh pleaded not guilty to the offence. His attorney, Bernard DeSantos told the court that the drugs were not found on his client, neither was he on the boat in which the suspected drugs were found.
He also added that his client was intercepted by the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) while driving his motor car on the Mon Repos Access Road.
A search by CANU ranks was conducted at Baksh’s home and his wife was taken into custody, but she was later released.
CANU prosecutor, Konyo Sandiford explained that the ranks were on a surveillance exercise and saw Baksh along with another occupant on the boat with the illegal drugs.
She added that Baksh escaped from the boat and was trailed by a CANU officer.
Magistrate George remanded Baksh to prison until August 10th.
Meanwhile, CANU has issued a wanted bulletin for alleged boat captain, Farouk Baksh called “Dive and Shoot” of Pump Road, Mon Repos.
The drug enforcement agency said he is wanted in connection with the approximately 201 pounds (91.132kg) of cocaine and 123.5 pounds (56.008kg) of cannabis that were found on the fishing vessel.
CANU in a release also added that the boat’s captain, Farouk Baksh who was one of the two men on board, escaped and is on the run.
