Human trafficking – Drug-trafficking and importation cases |19 February 2022

Defence attorneys seek for possible consolidation of charges

Defence attorneys representing brothers Fabio and Dario Soopramanien, along with Gerard Bastienne in the cases of drug trafficking and importation, and also human trafficking are in negotiation with the Attorney General’s office, seeking possible consolidation of the cases.

Counsel Clifford Andre, who is representing Dario Soopramanien, informed Chief Justice Rony Govinden on the development yesterday, during the hearing which was previously set as the plea date for the accused.

Consolidation of charges against a defendant is appropriate where the crimes are the same or similar character and evidence admitted in one trial would be admissible in the others.

It is also suitable where the offences charged in all case numbers are of the same or similar character.

Fabio Soopramanien and Bastienne are being represented by lawyer France Bonte.

Other than drug importation and trafficking-related offences, the Soopramanien brothers and Bastienne, along with 11 Iranian nationals, have also been charged with various counts of human trafficking, including conspiracy to commit, aggravate trafficking of a person, after agreeing to recruit, transport and transfer Andy Bistoquet from Seychelles to an Iranian dhow to then be taken to Iran to be a drug guarantee, without being informed the reason for his travel.

Bistoquet was also drugged for his consent to being controlled, for the purposes of exploitation as a drug guarantee.

According to prosecution, the offence of trafficking was aggravated on account of Bistoquet being drugged and the offence being committed by an organised criminal group, comprising of the Soopramanien brothers, along with Gerard Bastienne and unknown others in Iran.

The charges also include conspiracy to wrongfully conceal, or confine a person, knowing that the person has been abducted with intent to cause that person to be secretly and wrongly confined.

Yesterday’s proceedings were conducted in the absence of the Iranian nationals who have been confined to their boat due to a reported case of Covid-19, involving one of them.

Since it was plea day, prosecutor Joshua Revera who was standing in for Georges Tachett asked for a further remand period of 14 days, until March 4.

Roland Duval