A THIRTY-NINE-year-old minibus driver, who was allegedly caught with almost nine kilogrammes of ganja, on Friday, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and was remanded to prison by Magistrate Leron Daly.

Jason Carmichael of Lamaha Park Squatting Area, Georgetown, pleaded not guilty to possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

It is alleged that on February 16, 2021, at Lamaha Park Squatting Area, he had in his possession, 8.832 Kilograms of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

Reports are that at about 11:15 hours on the day in question, ranks from the Narcotics Branch, CID Headquarters, acting on information received, proceeded to Carmichael’s home in search of narcotics.

When the police arrived, Carmichael was seen sitting at the entrance of his yard, in company of his wife. The police identified themselves and requested that the property be searched. Carmichael agreed.

Near the entrance to a shop which is attached to the house, ranks discovered a black plastic bag containing 15 parcels of cannabis on the floor. They then proceeded to conduct a search on a motor car that was parked outside the yard, on a dam in front of the house which he claimed belong to him.

The police were handed the keys to the car and when they entered, 16 parcels containing cannabis were found concealed in the four door panels.

Carmichael was told of the offence committed, arrested and cautioned.

He submitted a written statement under caution claiming ownership of the narcotic found in his shop. He also mentioned that the narcotics found in the car belonged to someone else who used the car and returned it shortly before the police arrived.

Investigations were conducted and the present charge was laid against him.

Carmichael has narcotics and firearm-related charges pending at the Weldaad Magistrates’ Court.

He will make his second appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on March 19, 2021.