Vendor remanded on drug trafficking charge
Shawn Griffith
Shawn Griffith

A Clothes Vendor, who was allegedly caught with almost seven pounds of cannabis while at the Itaballi Police Check Point, Mazaruni, was remanded to prison on a drug trafficking charge.

Shawn Griffith, 52, of New Amsterdam, Berbice appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on Tuesday at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court and pleaded not guilty to the charge.

It is alleged that on May 18, 2017 at Itaballi Police Check Point, Mazaruni, he had 3070 grams of cannabis in his possession for the purpose of trafficking. His attorney, Trenton Lake told the court that his client is being used as the ‘scapegoat’ in the matter. He claimed that two other persons were arrested in connection with the case but were released by the police.

According to Lake, his client was in a car with several other persons when the vehicle was searched at the Itaballi Police Check Point. The attorney pointed out that the suspected drugs were not found in his client’s possession but in an amplifier which was in the car.

However, Police Prosecutor Arwin Moore told the court that the defendant had boarded the vehicle with the amplifier in his possession. Moore noted that while at the check point, persons were asked to declare their belongings and Griffith had taken ownership of the amplifier and other items he had in his possession.

The Prosecutor said that ranks searched the amplifier and the narcotics were found concealed in a bag. Prosecutor Moore objected to Griffith being released on bail on the basis that the defense did not raise any special reasons for the man to be granted his pretrial liberty.

The Chief Magistrate ruled in the prosecution’s favour and remanded Griffith until June 9. The matter was transferred to the Bartica Magistrate’s Court.

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