A 34-year-old gold miner of Covent Garden, East Bank Demerara, on Monday, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, on a charge of possession of narcotics.

The court heard that, on March 15, 2019, at Vulture Boat Landing, Bartica, Alex Thomas had in his possession 1035 grams of cannabis, for the purpose of trafficking. He pleaded not guilty to the charge and told the court that he was at the landing waiting for a truck. He was not aware of what was going on and was charged for a crime he did not even commit.

He also noted that he and the rank who arrested him had problems in the past and the lawman took the opportunity to apprehend him wrongfully.
According to Police Prosecutor, Gordon Mansfield, on the day in question, ranks went to the landing based on information received. When they arrived on the scene, a GT Beer box was next to Thomas and a bag on his back. When a search was conducted, nothing was found in the bag, but in the box two parcels containing stems, leaves and seeds were recovered.

Thomas was subsequently arrested and taken into police custody. He denied that he owned the substance. Bail was granted to the defendant at the sum of $110,000 and he will make his next court appearance at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court on April 11, 2019.