SIXTY-THREE-YEAR-OLD Patsy Baptist of Lot 963 Sixteenth Street, Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara appeared yesterday before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry charged with possession of, and trafficking in, narcotics.The disabled woman was on Monday remanded to prison when she appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry for possession and trafficking of cannabis.

The disabled mother of six is alleged to have had in her possession 16 grammes of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking on April 30 at her home.

The woman denied the allegation, and her attorney, Mr. Nigel Hughes, arguing that the substance was not found in her possession, cited the multiple occupancies of the said home.

Police Prosecutor Bharrat Mangru explained that, on the day in question, at about 14:30 hrs, ranks from the Police Narcotics Branch, acting on information received, conducted a search of the defendant’s home, and unearthed the substance concealed in a cap in the
defendant’s bedroom.

Under caution, the woman is alleged to have confessed to having “purchased the drug to sell and make a living”, and was arrested and charged for the offence.

The prosecutor contended that the defence counsel’s reasons advanced for bail for his client were not special. Bail was refused, and the matter has been transferred to the Providence Magistrate’s Court for May 6.