The multimillion-dollar-cocaine trial involving nine foreign nationals could not proceed at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Taiwo Alagba, on the grounds that the Director of Public Prosecution was said to be indisposed.
The case was consequently adjourned till 5 July 2011. The nine accused persons are: Ephraim Michael Chiduben (a Nigerian national), Juan Carlos Sanchez, Eric Bottini, Dose Fermin, Juan Carlos Diaz, Esteaban Zavala (all Venezuelan nationals), George Sanchez (a Mexican/Liberian national), Rudy Rasoehamid Gazi and Dennis Wilgo Winter (both Dutch nationals).
They all pleaded not guilty to the charges of conspiracy to traffic in prohibited drugs, trafficking in drugs, dealing in prohibited drugs, having firearm without authority, importation of firearm without authority, among others.
