A GUYANA Defence Force (GDF) soldier was remanded to prison, by Magistrate Leron Daley yesterday, on a drug trafficking charge.

Markembel Pierre (no address given) pleaded not guilty to the offence, details of which said, on November 10, in Albouys Street, Albouystown, Georgetown, he trafficked in 31 grammes of cannabis (marijuana).
Police Corporal Denise Booker, prosecuting, said the defendant was approached by ranks to conduct a search and he ran away.
The prosecutor said he was chased but persons in the area began pelting stones at the police in an effort to allow the defendant to escape but he suffered injuries from the obstacles thrown.
Defence Counsel Ronald Burch-Smith claimed Pierre was beaten by the police who arrested him.
The lawyer said the defendant was holding an infant when the police threw him to the ground and struck him on his right ear.
Pierre will face trial on December 13.