ALEX Thomas, a 34-year-old gold miner of Covent Garden on Monday appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan for having in his possession a large amount of cannabis.
The court heard that on March 15, 2019, at Vulture Boat Landing, Bartica, Alex Thomas had in his possession 1,035 grammes of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge and told the court that he was at the landing waiting for a truck. He was not aware of what was going on and was charged for a crime he did not commit. Additionally, he said that he and the policeman who arrested him had problems in the past and on account of that, the officer had seized the opportunity to wrongfully arrest and charge him.

According to Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield, on the day in question, the police, acting on information, went to the landing. At that time a GT beer carton was next to the defendant and there was a bag on his back. When a search was conducted, nothing was found in the bag; but in the carton, two parcels containing stems, leaves and seeds believed to be from the marijuana plant, were recovered.

Thomas was subsequently arrested and taken into police custody, but he denied ownership of the substance.

Bail was granted the defendant in the sum of $110,000 and he will make his next court appearance at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court on April 11, 2019.