A 35-year-old shopkeeper, who was allegedly caught with a large amount of cannabis in his home, on Friday, appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and was remanded to prison by Magistrate Leron Daly.

Richard Thompson of Meadow Brook Gardens, Georgetown, pleaded not guilty to possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

The charge alleged that Thompson, on November 17, 2019, at Lot 298 Meadow Brook Gardens, Georgetown, had in his possession 2098 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

According to information provided, on the day in question, at about 13:40 hours, police, while performing mobile patrol duty, received information which led them to the Meadow Brook address. When the ranks arrived, they identified themselves to Thompson who was standing at the door. Thompson hurriedly ran inside the house.

Noticing his suspicious behaviour, the ranks forced open the gate, and entered the building. Thompson with a white bulky salt bag, ran to the back of the house and entered a room, where he was seen throwing the bag through a door into the yard.

The bag was retrieved and when opened in Thompson’s presence, it reportedly contained six bulky transparent bags with what appeared to be cannabis.

Subsequently, Thompson was told of the allegation and was arrested. He was later charged for the offence.

The matter was adjourned to January 5, 2021.