YESTERDAY, two men appeared before Georgetown Magistrate Ann McLennan to answer separate charges of possession of narcotics.

20-year-old Carl Fresco of Lot 39 East La Penitence Georgetown pleaded not guilty to an offence allegedly committed on Thursday, August 15, at East La Penitence, when he is alleged to have had in his possession five grammes of cannabis sativa (marijuana).

Police Corporal Dinero Jones, prosecuting, objected to bail, citing that no special reason had been provided therefor.
However, the defendant, a labourer, was ordered to post $55,000 surety until September 17.

The other man, Noel Mitchell of Lot 402 North East La Penitence, pleaded guilty to possessing two grammes of cannabis sativa (marijuana).

Corporal Jones, prosecuting, related that on Friday, August 16, at around 03:00 hrs, ranks conducting a search around the area observed the defendant acting in a suspicious manner. A search was conducted on his person, and two small Ziplock bags were found in his mouth containing the narcotics. He was told of the offence and arrested and charged.

The 37-year-old defendant concurred with the prosecution’s story, and added that he uses the illegal substance because he is an asthma patient.

Mitchell was fined $15,000 and three weeks of community service, to be performed every Tuesday and Thursday from 05:00 to 06:00 hrs at the East Ruimveldt Police Outpost.