THIRTY-FOUR-YEAR-OLD Simeon Christopher, a welder of Lot 39 Houston Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, was yesterday placed on $10,000 bail by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry for possession of fake US currency notes.He pleaded not guilty to the charge alleging that on May 15, on Motor Vessel Alexander AL in the Demerara River, without lawful authority, he had in his possession one US$100 forged currency note, knowing same to be forged.
Attorney-at-law Mr. Dexter Todd, representing Christopher, told the court that, for more than four years, his client has been transporting sand and cement to Caribbean countries. He added that the businessman usually purchases US dollars before he does the transportation, and on the day in question, the ship left for Grenada and he had over US$4,000 in his possession. He noted that his client had no intention to use the money to indulge in any illegal activity.

Police prosecutor Shawn Gonsalves did not oppose bail, but asked that Christopher be placed on a reporting condition. Christopher was ordered to report to Corporal Trotman at the Narcotics Branch at Eve Leary, and the matter was transferred to Providence Magistrate’s Court for May 25.
(Geeta Rampersaud)