RASHAAN ALPHANSO of Eccles, East Bank Demerara, was, on March 11, 2020, brought before Magistrate Faith McGusty, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, having been charged with trafficking in narcotics.

The charge alleged that, on Sunday, March 8, 2020, at Irving Street, Georgetown, Alphanso was found with 5 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.
Alphanso pleaded not guilty to the charge.

When given the opportunity by Magistrate McGusty to explain his act, Alphanso stated that he used the drug for medicinal purposes, specifically, to relieve himself of his asthmatic condition. Alphanso further informed the court that the cannabis was used in a boiled form and as a substitute for his prescribed inhaler.

After the case was heard, Alphanso was fined $5000 by Magistrate McGusty.