Dear Sir,
APART from Kaieteur News Columnist “Fearless” Freddie Kissoon in his daily column of 24.11.15, captioned “Wonder who Vibert Butts voted for?” , the Judicial System more than often leaves the ordinary man/woman — penniless and powerless, devoid of legal representation — to the mercies of some magistrates ahead of sentencing.

Suffice it to say that the draconian laws as they relate to “ganga” mete out sentences for offences ranging from consumption to possession and to trafficking. Mostly some magistrates and prosecutors, either in cahoots, collaboration or conspiracy, defy all logic or sanity. (More on this later). Nevertheless, it remains a burning shame that no sports journalist; member of the football fraternity, consisting of administration, coaches and former national players of Durdy’s era, along with those of his former club, Pele, saw it fit to offer Durdy words of comfort.

Additionally, they should express utter dismay at the Judicial System, which, in the 21st Century, still finds it reasonable to imprison an individual for three (3) years for a spliff!

The whole affair seems to be utter nonsense!

Editor, Vibert “Durdy” Butts was a fearless striker in his heyday. He has already gone down in history, scoring our nation’s first World Cup Goal. This occurred almost forty years (40) ago, back in 1976 at the GCC ground, Bourda against Suriname, en route to Guyana’s 2-0 victory. This occurred ten (10) years prior to the implementation of the draconian law by the late Desmond Hoyte, former President in 1986.

While our nation is on the verge of celebrating fifty years (50) of Independence next year (2016), one is left to wonder what decolonisation has offered in relation to the afore-mentioned.

Why could he not be sentenced to forty-six (46) days of voluntary coaching in the hinterland, with the GFF providing accommodation, meals and transportation?

By the way, why is there a deafening silence from the GFF administration, which “Durdy” publicly endorsed “Team Integrity” as his choice to govern the nation’s football for the next four years?  Moreover, why was the brethren unrepresented in court when that administration has a legal practitioner on its Executive, Miss Thandi McAllister?

Editor, I may be wrong, and therefore subject to correction, but had “Team Unity” won and “Durdy” was in that predicament, upon pledging his support for the latter, Nigel Hughes or Mark Waldron, or a combination of both, would have offered their services in legal representation pro-bono!

By the way, does the judicial system have a “Ganga Connoisseur” and mathematician to determine the price of the commodity based on its quality? How come the inability to pay a fine of $69,000 (46x$1,500) results in an additional one (1) year imprisonment?

Editor, $1,500 a gram is definitely high grade, translating into $45,000 an ounce and $720,000 a pound! Is it a Creeper, Red Beard, or Sensimalia from the Berbice River, organically grown devoid of chemicals? Can our local economy sustain that price factor? If not, the magistrate and the prosecutor should be put on trial for misleading the public. Is it the “Santa Marta Gold” from Colombia, Red Hill from Jamaica, or Vincy from St. Vincent?

In the final analysis, I am of the humble opinion that “Durdy” has been betrayed by the sport’s hierarchy and by a brutal political system which continues to display inter-dependence in observing the laws of the colonial masters, who have since moved on with research, taxation and decriminalizing of “ganga”! Isn’t turning its back on “Durdy” and pledging to clean up the lawlessness advocated by the GFF President not an act of betrayal?

Surely, I think so, since subservience to the government of the day, upon receiving the $4M Elite League first prize, comes a few days after Butts’ sentencing.

Why the obstinacy in non-inclusive governance, when former President, the late Janet Jagan, wanted to repeal the draconian law as it relates to sentencing? However, the former Opposition Leader, the late Desmond Hoyte, emphatically blurted out “NO”!

Editor, with 90% of those incarcerated/imprisoned for small amounts of Ganga being black people, Indo Guyanese still control the monopoly of ganga trade. Where is the black monopoly? Are we still at the lowest rung of the social/economic ladder, devoid of elevation of spiritual consciousness?

Respectfully yours,
Lester Sealey.