Own Correspondent|A Venezuelan woman was busted at Robert Mugabe International Airport carrying 6 kg of cocaine as she tried to smuggle it into the country.

She appeared at the Harare magistrate’s court on Friday and demanded an interpreter before she can stand trial because she wanted to have an understanding of all charges levelled against her.

Delcy daymar Rodriguez Guererro was arrested upon landing. Prosecutor Sebastian Mutizirwa alleges that the cocaine is worth almost $500 000.

Through her lawyer, Ashiel Mugiya, Guererro told the court that she needed a Spanish interpreter as well as for her defence counsel to have sight of the contraband before she can stand trial as these are her constitutional rights.

Harare magistrate Rumbidzai Mugwagwa advised Mugiya to bring in his client in court on Saturday so that a Spanish interpreter can read the charges to her.

The State alleges that on October 18, Border and Control Unit detectives received information to the effect that Guererro was flying from Brazil and was suspected to be in possession of dangerous drugs.

It is alleged that when Guererro disembarked from the plane, she went to the clearance counter in the arrivals hall for passport clearance.

She was immediately identified during stamping of her passport and information was relayed to detectives who were on surveillance.

She allegedly picked her black suitcase within the airport arrival hall and selected the Zimra green route exit point where she was intercepted by detectives while pulling her suitcase inscribed with her tag number and name.

She was reportedly searched, leading to the recovery of a whitish powder which was stashed inside six black blocks wrapped around in her travelling.

Field tests analysis were conducted on the powder in the presence of Guererro and it tested positive to cocaine, the court heard.

Further tests were conducted by forensic scientist laboratory and it tested positive for the illicit drug.

M&T