Guyana Chronicle
March 14, 2001

THE two Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) officers who have testified since the start of the airport shootout case were both recalled for further cross-examination yesterday.

Defence Counsel Vic Puran questioned Hardat Harriprashad and Owen Jones, in that order, as Dequan Watkins and Colin Mentis, of Watooka, Mackenzie, Linden, sat in the dock in front of Magistrate Cecil Sullivan.

Watkins and Jones are charged with trafficking in 1,204.8 grammes of cocaine on February 4 after they allegedly exchanged gunfire with the CANU officers.

Ofaie David, also of Mackenzie, was arrested the same time with the illegal drug taped to her body while she was an outgoing passenger at Cheddi Jagan International, Timehri.

Answering Puran, Harriprashad said, although he was observing the car in which the trio attempted to get away, he could not have estimated the speed.

The witness said he did not include, in his statement on the matter, a description of the firearm used by the defendants.

He said he did not realise it was important until he was cross-examined by counsel, although he has been a CANU officer for one year and six months.

Harriprashad said he could not tell whether the driver lost control of the getaway motor vehicle when it hit the concrete posts outside the VIP Lounge.

Replying to another question, Harriprashad said he was present when Jones put allegations to Watkins and Mentis but he did not hear Jones tell them shots were fired.

"I took evasive action by throwing myself to the ground as the firearm was pointed at me," said Harriprashad, who remembered his training.

Jones said, in his opinion, the driver of the car involved, PGG 9868, appeared to have lost control of it.

The blue automobile had a shattered rear windscreen and cut on the right back tyre which was not a bullet hole when he made the observations in the bushes behind the airport where it was abandoned.

The trial is continuing with Watkins and Mentis still on remand in jail.