A CONSTRUCTION worker who was reportedly found with 318 grams of cannabis during a police raid was refused bail last Friday by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.Navendra Narine Persaud, 38, pleaded not guilty to the charge that alleged on February 11 at Canal Number 2 he had in his possession narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

Representing Persaud was Attorney-at-Law Peter Hugh who told the court that his client resides at Lot 22 North Section Canal No.2 with his sickly mother.
Police Prosecutor, Inspector Michael Grant told the court that on the day in question police acting on information went to defendant’s home around 16:00 hrs and requested to conduct a search on the premises for narcotics in his presence. The court heard that ranks found the drugs concealed in plastic bags that were hidden in a fridge.
Grant noted that Persaud under caution from the police admitted ownership of the illicit drugs. He was then taken to Criminal Investigation Department Headquarters where the drugs were weighed in his presence and he was then arrested and charged for the offence.
The prosecutor objected to bail on the grounds of the nature, gravity and prevalence of the offence and also the fact that no special reason was raised by the defence counsel. Bail was refused and the matter was transferred to Wales Magistrate’s Court for February 20.