Four months after she was sentenced to four years in jail after pleading guilty to drug trafficking, former media worker Zaneel Williams is appealing the jail sentence, which she considers to be too harsh.
The sentence was handed down in February, but Williams is now hoping for a lighter sentence.
While her appeal is being heard, her Attorneys have successfully petitioned the High Court to have her released on bail. The Office of the DPP, which was a respondent in the matter did not object to bail being granted while the appeal is being heard.
In April 2022, Williams was held at the Cheddi Jagan Airport with more than 17 pounds of cocaine in her carry-on luggage and another 3.6 pounds of the illegal drug strapped to her body.
She had initially pleaded guilty to the cocaine trafficking charge, but later changed that plea to not guilty as the case progressed.
She changed the plea again in February 2023, telling the Court that she was guilty of the drug trafficking offence. She had earlier been committed to undergo a psychiatric evaluation, and was declared fit to stand trial.
In addition to the four-year prison sentence, Williams was also fined $14.4 million
Two other persons were initially charged along with the former media worker. The two who worked at the airport, have maintained their innocence of the crime. Williams will remain on bail until the determination of the sentencing appeal.
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