Two brothers are now remanded prisoners on drug trafficking charges after police linked them to quantities of cocaine and marijuana found during a search of a house at Bachelor’s Adventure.
Appearing in a city court yesterday were Clifford Thomas, 28, of Lot 35 West Middle Walk, Bachelor’s Adventure and Curtly Thomas, 25, of Chelsea Park. They both pleaded not guilty to the allegations that on March 7, at Lot 35 West Middle Walk, Bachelor’s Adventure, East Coast Demerara, they had 6 grammes of cocaine and 17 grammes of cannabis in their possession for the purpose of trafficking. Clifford was also separately
charged with possession of 35 grammes of cocaine for trafficking on the same date, while Curtly was charged with having 325 grammes of cannabis for the same purpose. They both pleaded not guilty to the individual charges against them as well when they appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.
Police Prosecutor Michael Grant said that on March 7, at Middle Walk, police attached to the Narcotics Branch, acting on information, went to the home and contacted the defendants. Grant said the police identified themselves to the defendants, conducted a search on the premises with their consent and discovered the illegal drugs. The brothers, he said, were told of the offences, arrested and charged.
Grant objected to bail on the grounds of the nature, gravity and prevalence of the offence as well as the amount of drugs involved. He added that the statute does not allow bail unless special circumstances are presented by the defence.
Thomas’ attorney, Sandil Kissoon, during a failed attempt to secure bail, contested the police’s claim that both defendants reside at the home the drugs were found.
He told the court that Curtly did not live at the address where the drugs were found and this fact, he contended, amounted to a special reason for bail. Moreover, Kissoon said, Curtly was never in possession, care or control of the narcotics.
In the case of Clifford, Kissoon reiterated that custody of the drugs cannot be pinned to him, since there were other occupants of the house.
The attorney said that Clifford lives at Middle Walk with his mother and Curtly lives with his father in Chelsea Park. Curtly, Kissoon said, is gainfully employed by his father for the past five years, who runs a commercial business.
Despite the attorney’s arguments, the brothers were refused bail and remanded to prison. The matters were transferred to the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court, where they will be called on March 13.
