CHIEF Magistrate Ann McLennan, on Thursday, November 28, 2019, remanded a couple to prison. The husband was remanded for possession of gun, ammunition and narcotics while his wife was remanded for possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

Godfrey Bacchus, 51 and his wife Stacy Cort, 34, both sanitation workers of Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Reserve, North Sophia, Greater Georgetown, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and pleaded not guilty to the charges, when they were read to them.
Particulars of the first charge stated that, on November 25, 2019, at (GPL) Reserve, North Sophia, Greater Georgetown, Bacchus had, in his possession, 62 rounds of 7.62 and 4 rounds of .32 ammunition, when he was not the holder of a firearm licence.
The second charge stated that, on the same day, and at the same place, he had, in his possession, one AK-47 and one Hector pistol, when he was not the holder of a firearm licence.

It was also alleged that, on November 25, 2019, at GPL Reserve, North Sophia, Greater Georgetown, the couple had, in their possession, 34 kilograms 750 grams of cannabis, for the purpose of trafficking.

Attorney-at-law Bernard DaSilva, who represented the couple, asked the court for reasonable bail to be granted to his client, and told the court that the guns and ammunition were not found on his client nor in his accommodation but in a trench near the couple’s house.

He added that the narcotic was found in an ice pitcher that was taken to his clients’ home by a family member without his clients’ knowledge. DaSilva stated that his client, Godfrey Bacchus, provided the police with information which led the police to issue a wanted bulletin for Steve Richard Bacchus.

Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield objected to bail being granted to the couple, based on the nature of the offence and the penalty attached.

Mansfield also told the court that, on the day in question, police, acting on information, went to the address mentioned in the charge, and, while the police was approaching, one of the ranks observed Bacchus throwing a wrapped parcel in a nearby trench. The parcel was recovered and the guns and ammunition were found in the wrapped parcel.
Mansfield stated that a further search was conducted and the narcotics were found in the bedroom of the couple. Mansfield added that there was a video interview which showed Bacchus admitting ownership of the items and his wife admitting ownership of the narcotics found in their bedroom.

Magistrate McLennan remanded the couple to prison and adjourned the matter until December 4, 2019. The matter was transferred to the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court.