A 46-YEAR-OLD dredge owner was on Thursday remanded to prison by City Magistrate Faith McGusty on two drug trafficking charges.

Shawn Samuels called ‘Hawaii’ of BB Eccles, East Bank Demerara, was charged for having 55 grams of cannabis in his possession for the purpose of trafficking on July 31, at Mowasie, Pomeroon River.

It is further alleged that he also had five grams of cocaine in his possession for the purpose of trafficking. The father of nine denied both charges, while his attorney, Paul Fung-a-fat, made an application for his bail.

According to the attorney, the drug was not found on Samuels’ possession or presence, since it was found in a shop his client owned.

Fung-a-fat pointed out that Samuels did not visit the said shop for the past five months, since it was run-down. However, recently the police, while investigating an alleged case of break and enter at the shop, discovered the drugs.

Police Prosecutor, Steven Telford, opposed bail and pointed out that the police had found the drugs in a room in the accused presence, where he confessed to the drugs being his.

The Magistrate ruled in the prosecution’s favour and remanded Samuels until August 7.