Miner and store-keeper Floyd Campbell, who was allegedly found with cocaine and marijuana at Aranka Landing, Cuyuni River, was yesterday remanded to prison on drug trafficking charges.
Campbell, 53, of Lot 117 Sideline Dam, Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara, denied the charges when they were read to him in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
It is alleged that on June 28, at Aranka Landing, Cuyuni River, he had in his possession 3 grammes of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. It is also alleged that on the same date, Campbell was found with 287 grammes of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.
According to attorney George Thomas, who appeared for the accused, Campbell was taking care of the shop where he was employed when the drugs were found. He said while Campbell was cleaning the yard, a search was conducted and the drugs were found in an oven in the kitchen. He said Campbell had no control or authority over the kitchen, thereby raising the issue of ownership and control of the substances. The lawyer also said his client had no knowledge of the drugs.
Prosecutor Renetta Bentham, in her objection to counsel’s bail application, told the court that no special reasons relating to the actual offence were advanced to the court. Bentham said too that based on the seriousness and prevalence of the offence and the possibility of the defendant failing to return to court should his pre-trial liberty be granted, the prosecution was forced to object.
The magistrate subsequently announced that bail had been refused and the case was transferred to the Bartica Magistrate’s Court for July 11.
