BERBICIAN driver Faraad Hamid, 22, of Lot 315 McRae Street, Rosignol, West Coast Berbice, and his alleged accomplice, Mark Douglas of Number 3 Village, West Coast Berbice, both pleaded not guilty before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry to a charge detailing that police had, on Thursday, March 12 last, caught them with marijuana in the city.Their charge read that they had in their possession 58.84 kilogrammes of cannabis-sativa (marijuana) for the purpose of trafficking.

Attorney-at-law Mr. Mark Waldron, representing Hamid, told the court that his client lives with his parents at the address he had given.

Representing the prosecution, Police Corporal Bharat Mangru told the court that on the day in question, ranks from the Police Narcotics Branch, acting on information, apprehended the duo on Sheriff Street in the vicinity of Subs and Salads.

Hamid, driving PJJ 8009, upon seeing the police, turned into David Street, Kitty. The ranks, in an unmarked vehicle, intercepted Hamid and discovered in his vehicle a white salt bag containing the prohibited substance.

Further search of the vehicle unearthed 31 other parcels containing the compressed drug, whereupon Hamid told the police, “Mark gimme this fuh bring down, and he waiting fuh someone”.

Further investigations led to Douglas, and the duo was arrested and charged with the offence.

The Prosecutor successfully opposed bail on ground that no special reason had been advanced for its grant.

The duo was remanded to Monday, March 16, and the matter was transferred before Magistrate Ann McLennan for report and fixture.
(Geeta Rampersaud)