JERMAINE Beveny of Lot 115 Ogle Street, Triumph, East Coast Demerara was yesterday refused bail by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry for trafficking in narcotics.

The 25-year-old defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge which detailed that on Saturday, September 6, at Itaballi in the Mazaruni River, he had in his possession 457 grammes of cannabis-sativa (marijuana) for the purpose of trafficking.

His Attorney-at-Law, Mr. James Bond, told the court that Bevney is not a flight risk, and has no prior convictions or pending matters. Counsel said Bevney and his family have an operation in the interior, and on the day in question, Bevney, his wife and other relatives were travelling to the interior when, at the checkpoint at Itaballi, the police stopped them for a routine check and found the illegal substance in a bag, which they suspected belonged to Bevney.

Bond said that Bevney and his wife were arrested, but she was later released while he was charged with the offence.

Police Prosecutor Michael Grant told the court that on the day in question, at around 18:20 hrs, ranks were conducting routine checks at Itaballi when motor vehicle PKK 531 arrived at the checkpoint.

The court heard that several persons, including the defendant, had been occupying the vehicle, and they were all asked to disembarked for procedural checks, wherein they were also asked to identify their luggage.

A subsequent search conducted on their persons and belongings unearthed the prohibited substance in a bag for which the defendant claimed ownership. He was told of the offence and arrested and charged.

Prosecutor Grant successfully opposed bail by citing the nature and prevalence of the offence. He also said that special reasons are required for bail to be granted in such cases.

The father of two was remanded to prison, and the case was transferred to the Bartica Magistrate’s Court for September 18.