A HUSBAND and his wife, of Hururu Mission, Upper Berbice River, appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore on Tuesday, jointly charged with being in possession of 167 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

Toney Williams, a 38-year-old shopkeeper and his wife Candace France, 33, pleaded not guilty to the charge at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court and were remanded to prison until April 12.

This newspaper understands that the police conducted a raid on April 8, 2017 when the drug was found inside a bag in the kitchen of the guest house, where several occupants were also staying at the time.

The duo was represented by Gaumatie Singh and Moti Singh and in the bail application, the court heard that the drug was not found at the couple’s home, but rather at a guest house where Williams is employed as a shopkeeper.

However, Police Prosecutor Simone Payne told the court that on the day in question, police acted on information and conducted the search on the premises. According to the prosecutor, the illegal drugs were found in a bag belonging to the defendants in the kitchen area of the guest house.

The prosecutor objected to bail because of the seriousness, gravity and prevalence of the offence. They are expected to appear before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan today.