Human Trafficking – Drug-trafficking and importation cases |05 March 2022
Further remand period as AG’s Office works on possible consolidation of cases
Brothers Fabio and Dario Soopramanien, along with Gerard Bastienne and 11 Iranian nationals involved the cases of drug trafficking and importation, and also human trafficking, have been remanded for 14 more days while waiting on the Attorney General’s Office to work on a possible consolidation of the cases.
Other than drug importation and trafficking-related offences, the Soopramanien brothers and Bastienne, along with the 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 of the reason for his travel.
The offence of trafficking was later aggravated on account of Bistoquet being drugged and the offence being committed by an organised criminal group, comprising 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.
It was during their last appearance before the court on February 18 that defence attorneys informed Chief Justice Rony Govinden that they are in negotiation with the Attorney General’s office, seeking possible consolidation of the cases.
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 offenses charged in all case numbers are of the same or similar character.
Fabio Soopramanien and Bastienne are being represented by lawyer France Bonte, while attorney Clifford Andre is representing Dario Soopramanien, along with the 11 Iranians.
They will re-appear before the court on Friday March 18.
Roland Duval