The multi-million dollar cocaine trial involving nine foreign nationals reached its climax at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court, with the prosecution led by the deputy director of the Public Prosecutions announcing that they have closed their case.
The nine accused persons are: Ephriam Micheal Chiduben, a Nigerian national, Juan Carlos Sanchez, Eric Bottini, Dose Fermin, Juan Carlos Diaz, and Esteaban Zavala, all Venezuelan nationals, George Sanchez, a Mexican/Liberian national, as well as Rudy Rasoehamid Gazi and Dennis Wilgo Winter, both Dutch nationals.
They all pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to traffic in prohibited drugs, trafficking in drugs, dealing in prohibited drugs, having firearms without authority, importation of firearms without authority, among others.
When the trial resumed recently before Acting-Principal Magistrate Alagba, the deputy DPP, S.H Barkun, told the court the prosecution had closed their case.
It would be recalled that the prosecution called 17 witnesses, and tendered 36 exhibits in support of their case.
The case was then adjourned till 12 July 2011, for defence.
