A 23- YEAR-OLD driver was on Monday released on $250,000 bail by Magistrate Leron Daly for allegedly trafficking cannabis sativa (marijuana).Esan Luke of Lot 50, Fourth Avenue, Bartica is accused of having 220 grams of cannabis in his possession on July 19, at Itabali.

Luke denied the allegation, while his attorney requested that he be released on reasonable bail since special circumstances were responsible for his client being charged.

According to the lawyer, on the day in question Luke was heading to the interior after he was hired to deal with cargo.

The defendant, along with other passengers, was searched by police at a routine police check point but nothing was found in their possession. A police officer subsequently searched the vehicle and the alleged narcotics were found tucked away in the rear passenger seat.

The lawyer stated that Luke and the other individuals were taken into police custody and later released on station bail due to police being uncertain as to the owner of the drug.

The Magistrate adjourned the matter until September 13, and transferred the matter to Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.