Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson on Friday placed two men, who were allegedly found with counterfeit US currency in their possession, on bail in the sum of $300,000 when they appeared before her at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court.
Forty-five-year-old Gavin Mangru of Kingston, and Yamesh Loakenauth, 30, of Bel Air Park, had both pleaded not guilty to the joint charge of possession of counterfeit currency.
They denied that on July 28, they had US$1,500 which is equivalent to about $300,000 Guyana currency in their possession.
Loakenauth’s lawyer Glenn Hanoman had applied for reasonable bail for him on the grounds that he had no previous convictions in the court and that this is the first time that he had been accused of being involved in a criminal activity.
Meanwhile, Mangru’s lawyer Mohamed Zafar had applied for bail for him on the grounds that he had an unblemished record in the court and he is a well-known member of his community.
Both lawyers noted that their clients are not flight risks.
The prosecution stated that the duo was involved in circulation of the forged currency and was caught red handed by the police after a man, who had noted what they were doing called the police and set them up to be caught.
The duo is expected to make another court appearance on September 28.
