EIGHTEEN-year-old Andre Christian (no address given) was refused bail last Friday when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry accused of trafficking in ganja in the Stabroek Market area.

The young mechanic pleaded not guilty to the allegation that, on April 3 at Stabroek Market Area, Georgetown, he had in his possession 33 grammes of cannabis sativa (marijuana) for the purpose of trafficking.

Police Inspector Michael Grant, prosecuting, said that on the day in question, police on patrol observed the defendant acting in a suspicious manner, and with Christian’s consent, the ranks carried out a search on his person, thereby unearthing the prohibited substance in his pants crotch.

The teenager’s attorney, Mr. Paul Fung-a-Fat, told the court in a bail application that the teen did not have anything special as it relates to surety.

The matter was transferred before Magistrate Faith McGusty for commencement of trial on May 8.

(By Geeta Rampersaud)