Businesswoman denies cocaine charge

A prominent businesswoman has been remanded in police custody after she denied a charge of drug trafficking.

Ms Linda Holt denied that she had trafficked 6.8 grams of cocaine worth Sh27,000 before a Kibera court.

She denied the charge before Kibera’s principal magistrate Fridah Nyakundi and was remanded until September 21.

Her lawyer, Neville Amolo, applied for her release on bond.

He said the suspect was arrested at Watamu in Malindi where she has been for two months.

He told the court that at the time of the alleged crime she was in Nairobi Hospital.

“I urge this court to release the suspect on bond. The offence she is facing is bailable ,” Mr Amolo urged.

The prosecutor, Chief Inspector Joseph Musyoka, opposed saying investigations have not been completed.

“I urge this  court to remand the suspect in custody to enable the prosecution conclude its investigations. She was arrested in Watamu in Malindi and flown to Nairobi,” Insp Musyoka told the court.

The prosecutor concurred with the defence that the offence is bailable “but sought for five days to enable investigators conclude their probe.”

In her short ruling, Ms Nyakundi said the prosecution needs to be given time to conclude their investigations.

She remanded the suspect until September 21, 2011. The court told her to renew her bail plea that day.

She was whisked out of the court by security agents from the anti-narcotics unit.