SEAMAN Ron Morris was yesterday refused bail when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan charged with trafficking cannabis at the Ekereku airstrip in Region Seven.It is alleged that Morris, of 107 Haslington, East Coast Demerara, on January 1 at the Ekereku airstrip, had in his possession 453 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

Morris has pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Prosecutor Deniro Jones told the court that on the day in question, at the Ekereku airstrip, Morris was summoned to uplift several packages which were posted to him. Upon arrival, Morris cleared all the boxes, including one listed under the name of ‘Troy Hope’, and told ranks during a routine police search that it also belonged to him.

Asked by the ranks if any illegal substance was in the box, Morris replied, “Yeah man, is some weed I got here,” and tried to make a deal with the ranks. Upon opening one of the boxes, the officers found several yellow parcels that contained the narcotics.

Morris’s lawyer contended that his client had been framed by the police. The attorney explained that Morris was contacted to uplift some packages that were sent for him, and had no knowledge of what was in the said box under the name of ‘Troy Hope’.

However, Police prosecutor Jones objected to Morris being granted bail on grounds that the defence counsel did not provide the court with any special reason why his client should be granted bail, while the accused had already orally confessed to the crime.

The chief magistrate remanded the seaman to prison until March 21, and transferred this matter before the Kamarang magistrate.