MAGISTARTE Rhondel Weever on Tuesday sentenced a 27-year-old welder to serve four years behind bars, together with a fine of $2 million after he confessed to trafficking cannabis.

Akeem Archer, a father of four of Zeelugt Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo, was sentenced by Magistrate Rhondel Weever at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

In March, during his first court appearance, Archer had denied having 2.33 kilogrammes of cannabis in his possession for the purpose of trafficking on March 16, at Lombard Street, Charlestown, Georgetown.

However, after being on remand for over three months, Archer opted to change his plea to guilty. The charge was reread to him and Archer confessed.

“I do love my kids… and I need to be there for them. I am asking if you can be lenient with me,” Archer told the court.

The unrepresented man told the court that he is the sole breadwinner for his family and his wife is currently pregnant. Archer also told the court that in 2018 he was sentenced to serve two years in prison for firearm possession.

According to a release from the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), Archer was nabbed by ranks during an operation in the vicinity of Lombard Street.

He was seen acting in a suspicious manner while carrying a backpack. A subsequent search of the bag led to the discovery of a parcel containing what looked like cannabis.

Archer was arrested and escorted to CANU Headquarters, along with the suspected narcotic, which tested positive for cannabis and weighed approximately five pounds (2.33 kg), with a street value of approximately $400,000.