In Berbice…
STANTON Baird of West Ruimveldt Housing Scheme, who was nabbed with 82 lbs of compressed marijuana whilst motoring along the Number 51 Public Road last Wednesday, was refused bail by Magistrate Krishendat Persaud following an appearance at the Springlands Court on Friday. Sergeant Michael Grant, prosecuting, had objected to pretrial liberty, noting the nature and gravity of the offence, along with its prevalence and effect on society.
Grant informed the Court that on July 21 last acting on information, sleuths attached to the Number 51 Police Station in Sub-division Two stopped hire car HA 4285 in the trunk of which were a suitcase and a black bag.
On opening the bag and suitcase, 24 four taped packets, suspected to contain the leaves, seeds, and stems of the prohibited plant, were unearthed.
The defendant was apprised of the offence and taken to the police station, where, after the narcotic was weighed, he was charged with trafficking.
The defendant, a driver and the sole occupant of the vehicle, had earlier told investigators that he was hired by unnamed persons, who had accompanied him from Georgetown and paid him well, to under take the trip, but did not know what the bags contained.
The case has been transferred to the Number 51 Magistrate Court, where it is fixed for hearing on August 12.