A 21-year-old ex-prison officer was yesterday sentenced to 56 months imprisonment by Magistrate Judy Latchman for trafficking narcotics . 

Akeem Vyphuis (no address given) was a prison officer for three years. He was also fined $418,500 after he was found guilty for the offence that said on July 14 at the Camp Street Prison, Georgetown, he had in his possession 279 grammes of cannabis-sativa (marijuana) for the purpose of trafficking.
Before handing down the jail term, Magistrate Latchman took into consideration the quantum involved, and the fact that he was a rehabilitation officer with no prior convictions. The magistrate also noted the seriousness of the offences and the need to deter others from committing similar offences.
On his first appearance in court before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry, Police Prosecutor Bharat Mangru said that on the day in question, the defendant went to the main entrance of the Camp Street Prison unaware that he was being followed by a cadet officer, who saw the accused take the parcel and throw it on the ground.

However, his attorney-at-law Ms. Pamela DeSantos contradicted the prosecution’s version. She said that she had been instructed that the illegal substance was not found on her client but was found in his room in the Bachelors Quarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown, where he resides.
She said that upon entering the room, Vyphuis noticed the bag and as he proceeded to check it, another rank came in and noticed.

(By Geeta Rampersaud)