A THIRTY-SIX-year-old taxi driver, who was busted by Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) ranks with a large quantity of cannabis in his motor car, was on Thursday arraigned before the Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan to answer to the charge.

Sherwin Clarke of Canjie Berbice made his appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and pleaded not guilty to the drug trafficking charge when it was read to him.
Particulars of the charge alleged that, on February 11, 2019, at the Fireside Grill, Garnett Street, Kitty, Clarke had 3.86 kilograms of cannabis in his possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Clarke’s attorney, Adrian Thompson, told the court that his client’s wife was five months pregnant and the defendant was also the sole breadwinner for his family.
Thompson, while arguing for bail, said that his client was parked outside of the Fireside Grill, since he had taken passengers to the location.

However, CANU prosecutor, Narissa Leander, objected to Clarke being released on bail since he was the only person in the car when CANU ranks intercepted the vehicle.
Leander also disclosed that Clarke allegedly gave an oral confession to CANU ranks, admitting ownership of the narcotics.

The chief magistrate, after considering the arguments from both sides of the table, ruled in favour of the prosecution and remanded Clarke to prison. The matter was adjourned until March 1, 2019.