AN Albouystown resident was on Friday remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry, after he was “busted” with narcotics in his toilet by the Lethem police last Monday.Andre Douglas, 42, of Lot 56 James Street, Albouystown, pleaded not guilty to the charge, which read that, on Monday,June 15,2015 at Tabatinga, Central Rupununi, he had in his possession 19 grams of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.
Douglas’s lawyer, Mr. Jerome Khan, explained to the court that his client is a father of two and currently he is employed at the Georgetown Abattoir.
Khan noted that Douglas had ventured to Lethem because he was doing home construction to his property that he has in the area. However, the lawyer argued that his client has no knowledge of the drug in the house, hence the case is based on multiple occupancy of the house. Khan revealed to the court that four other individuals were also arrested; however, they were released, after the police decided to charge his client because he had a confrontation with the officer based on him resisting the trumped- up charge.
Police Prosecutor Bharat Mangru explained to the court that about 16:00hrs on the day in question, the police acting on information went to the said house. As the police approached the house, the defendant was seen running into the house and back out.
Mangru noted that the drug was found concealed in the toilet area after the police became suspicious and searched the house. Subsequently, Douglas was arrested along with four other men who were present at the house also.
Lastly, the prosecutor noted that based on the statement given by the informant, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) advised that Douglas be charged.
Bail was refused and the magistrate remanded Doulas until Monday, September ,2015, when he will appear at the Lethem Magistrates Court.