TWO men, a couple and a widow are among persons charged with ‘ganja’ trafficking, while millions of dollars worth of the plant from which the illicit substance is derived have been destroyed as the police intensifies its drug eradication exercise in the East Berbice/Corentyne region.

Appearing before Magistrate Peter Hugh at the New Amsterdam Court on Thursday was 24-year-old Reginald Motie of Mount Sinai, West Canje, Berbice for allegedly cultivating cannabis sativa, as is the scientific name of marijuana, better known as ‘ganja’.

He pleaded not guilty of committing the offence, and was granted bail in the sum of $100,000, and ordered to return to court on June 30.
According to the prosecutor, Corporal Winston Poliah, Motie was caught in the act, when the police, acting on a tip-off, swooped down on his Vryheid Village, West Canje farm, where he was found tending about an acre of marijuana plants in varying stages of development, the estimated street value of which is $5.8M

Meanwhile, an unemployed Devon Pydana, 27, of Stanleytown, New Amsterdam was also ordered to post $100,000 bail, after pleading not guilty of being in possession of 27 grams of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, as alleged, when he was arrested at Adelphi Village, a short distance from where he lives. His matter has been put down until July 8, when he is expected to return to court.

Next on the roster was 26-year-old Christiana Munsami and husband Derrick Narine Munsami, a farmer, both of Auchlyne Village, Corentyne, who were charged jointly with being in possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.

The couple appeared at the Whim Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Renita Singh, where they pleaded not guilty, and was each granted bail in the sum of $300,000.That matter has been adjourned to July 5 for statements and fixtures.

Finally, appearing before Magistrate Alex Moore at the Mibicuri Court in Black Bush Polder, also on Thursday, was 54-year-old Bibi Habida Yakub of Johanna North, Black Bush Polder, in whose home was found a quantity of marijuana stoked away in a gas stove, and concealed in two bottles labelled ‘Boom Energy Drink’.

According to the police, when the plastic bottles were opened, ranks discovered several foil wrappings containing what was suspected to be the leaves, seeds and stems of the cannabis sativa plant, which, when weighed, totalled 65 grams.

In her defence, Yakub reportedly told investigators when she was rumbled that her husband, who is the family’s sole breadwinner, was amongst the five men who were murdered at Black Bush Polder last year.

She, however, pleaded guilty to the offence, and ordered to pay a fine of $30,000, or alternatively serve three we