Was he a ganja farmer? A man accused of cultivating cannabis and trafficking in the drug was remanded to prison when he appeared at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.

Dane Beckford pleaded not guilty to two charges of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking and the cultivation of a prohibited plant and was remanded to prison by magistrate Fazil Azeez.

It is alleged that two Saturdays ago at Bonasika, East Bank Essequibo he had in his possession nine kilos and 909 grammes of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking. It is also alleged that he cultivated the drug at Bonasika Creek.

The police had gone to the area and found the prohibited items and he was informed of the offence being committed and arrested and charged.

Beckford told the court that he was severely beaten by the Joint Services.

He will return to court on April 2 at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court.