TWO SUSPECTS CONNECTED TO LARGE COCAINE BUST FOUND

UNCLAS PARAMARIBO 000055 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR WHA/CAR - LLUFTIG DEPT FOR INL/LP NBOZZOLO, KBROWN CARACAS FOR LEGATT E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SNAR KCRM PGOV PREL NS SUBJECT: TWO SUSPECTS CONNECTED TO LARGE COCAINE BUST FOUND GUILTY REF: 05 PARAMARIBO 413 ¶1. (U) On January 26, Surinamese Judge Albert Ramnewash found two men arrested in connection with the April 2005 police seizure of 334 kilograms of cocaine from a residence in Paramaribo guilty of transporting narcotics. (See reftel). Angelo Carrot was sentenced to six years imprisonment and fined 3,500 USD and Jerrel Pomba was convicted to two and a half years in prison and fined 180 USD. The two men were the only suspects arrested in the case. Their prison sentences were less than requested by the prosecutor's office; Judge Ramnewash remarked that he took into account their full cooperation during the investigation and the trial. ¶2. (U) Carrot and Pomba were arrested on April 23, 2005 after the Police SWAT Team and the Narcotics brigade jointly raided a residence in Paramaribo located on the street Titaniumstraat. The police seized 334 kilograms of cocaine, 274 cartridges and four hand grenades. Both Carrot and Pomba, who were arrested at the scene, claimed that they acted under orders of one Mr. Popo, a Brazilian friend. The Brazilian man had asked the two to transport 'goods' to his home and stash them for three days, after which they would get paid. Police were subsequently unable to locate Mr. Popo. LEONARD