Acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on Monday remanded a miner who was charged with the possession of cannabis in the North West District for the purpose of trafficking.
Shabeer Mohammed, 29, on October 14, at Sebai River Mouth, in the North West District, allegedly had in his possession 20.48 kilogrammes of cannabis. The accused pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
Prosecutor Lionel Harvey said police from the Port Kaituma police station were on a river patrol when they stopped a wooden boat and requested to conduct a search on the occupants, including Mohammed. A white polythene bag, which had seven black bags that contained leaves, seeds and stems, was found in the vessel and Mohammed was arrested since it was determined that the bag belonged to him, Harvey said.
Attorney Adrian Thompson, who represented Mohammed, asked for bail, while noting that the narcotics were not found on the person of his client but in a boat which contained several other persons. He also said the man was beaten at the police station and as a result they were several marks on his back.
The magistrate denied bail but ordered an investigation to determine if the man was beaten. She also ordered that the accused be given medical attention.
The case will be called at the Matthew’s Ridge Magistrates’ Court on November 1.
