RAMONA Melville and Ron Collins (no addresses given) were remanded to prison yesterday on a joint drug trafficking charge. Before Acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry, they pleaded not guilty to having, on September 9, 600 grammes of cannabis (marijuana) for the purpose.
Police Inspector Stephen Telford, prosecuting, said the two defendants were on a steamer, travelling to Georgetown from Port Kaituma in the North West District, when a search was conducted and the substance was found in Melville’s bag.
According to the prosecutor, Melville was questioned and she told police that Collins put the parcel in her bag and he admitted doing so.
Attorney-at-law Mr. Adrian Thompson, representing Melville, requested bail on special circumstances, arguing that she had no knowledge of the drug being put there by someone she does not know.
The lawyer said Melville was travelling with her sick child to seek medical attention in the city.
However, the bail application was denied and the case has been transferred to Matthews Ridge Court for November 1.