SENIOR Magistrate, Sunil Scarce, on Thursday, remanded two miners to prison for their alleged involvement in drug trafficking following a recent marijuana bust at New Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank of Demerara (EBD).

The men are 47-year-old Rayanthony Persaud, also known as ‘Tony’, of Victoria Avenue, Eccles, EBD, and 42-year-old Andrew Carew, also known as ‘Daddo’, of Little Diamond, EBD. They were charged separately when their matter came up at the Diamond Magistrate’s Court.

Persaud denied the charge which alleged that he trafficked 5.754 kilogrammes of cannabis on Tuesday last.

Carew, on the other hand, received two charges which alleged, firstly, that he supplied the narcotics to Persaud, and, secondly, that he trafficked 530 grams of cannabis on the said date. Carew pleaded not guilty to both charges.

Persaud was represented by attorney, Bernard DaSilva, while Carew was represented by attorney, Konyo Sandiford.

The attorneys filed bail applications for their clients on the grounds of multiple occupancies, citing that several other individuals also have access to the location where the alleged narcotics were found.

Counsel DaSilva denied his client had any knowledge of the drugs. He also denied his client transported it. Among other things, the attorney further argued that his client was given a box that contained tools for safekeeping.

DaSilva told the court, however, that Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) officers later discovered narcotics at the bottom of the said box.

CANU prosecutor, Thalia Thompson strongly objected to the pair being released on bail considering the nature, gravity and penalty of the charges.

She disclosed to the court that CANU officers, acting on information received, conducted a surveillance operation at New Diamond Housing Scheme. The agency’s lawyer said anti-drug officers observed Persaud sitting in a motor car parked in front of an unpainted house.

The prosecutor told the court that Persaud exited his car and approached a vehicle that was driven by Carew.

Counsel Thompson further explained that the anti-drug officers saw Persaud collecting a box from Carew after which the men then entered the unpainted house together.

CANU officers then stormed the house and arrested the pair. The box was searched and six parcels of suspected cannabis, valued at $1.7 million, were found inside.

According to the prosecutor, CANU officers conducted a search on Carew’s home and found an additional 530 grams of cannabis in his room.

The Magistrate, considering the arguments presented, instructed that the defence lawyers failed to raise special reasons for bail. The accused men were remanded to prison. Their matter will come up on May 12, 2022.