A TAXI driver of Lot 69 James Street, Albouystown, Georgetown, was yesterday remanded to prison on ammunition and drug- trafficking charges. Thirty-four-year-old Mark Prince pleaded not guilty to both charges before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates Court.
One of the charges said that on June 3 at James and Curtis Streets, Albouystown, he had in his possession 1269 grammes of cannabis-sativa (marijuana) for the purpose of trafficking.
Particulars of the other charge said on the same day at James and Curtis Streets, he also had in his possession six live rounds of .32 ammunition, when he was not a licensed firearm holder.
According to the unrepresented man, he lives in an apartment building and there were other people there, but the police charged only him.
However, Police Prosecutor Shawn Gonsalves told the court that around 05:45hrs on the day in question, ranks from Criminal Investigations Department (CID) headquarters conducted a raid on Prince’s home.
The court also heard that the prohibited drug and ammunition were found in Prince’s presence, after which he admitted to the police stating that, “I done with crime and is just some weed I hustling.”
The prosecutor successfully opposed bail on the grounds that adequate reasons were not given to the court for bail to be granted.
In his defence, Prince told the court that after he was charged the police wrote ill things against him. He emphasized, “I don’t do drugs, I don’t sell drugs, I do taxi work. There are other people living in the big place and the police break down the place.”
After hearing the defence and the prosecution’s facts, the objection was upheld and the matter was transferred before Magistrate Ann McLennan for report and fixture on Monday.