Judge denies bail petition for convicted drug trafficker
JUSTICE Roxanne George, on Wednesday, denied a bail petition in favour of Collis Ross, pending an appeal against a trafficking in narcotic conviction, since the magistrate, before whom the petitioner appeared, had submitted his memorandum of reasons, for denying the grant, last July 19. Ross was sentenced to three years imprisonment after he was found guilty of having trafficked 23 and a half grammes of cannabis (marijuana), on March 13, at Number 10 Village Public Road, West Coast Berbice.
The prisoner, who was represented by attorney-at-law Mr. Joel Edmond-Persid, said, in his supporting affidavit, that, on March 13, he was travelling in a minibus, with 12 other passengers along the West Coast Berbice route when the police set up a road block and ordered them to disembark.
He said, subsequently, he was shown a paper wrapper and told it was in his back pocket before being charged but was allowed $125,000 bail, following an application in the High Court.
Consequent to his conviction, counsel filed an appeal to set aside the decision of the magistrate. However, Ross said he believes that would take a few months or even years, resulting in his fear that the term of imprisonment may expire before the case is heard.