A vendor accused of trafficking in a quantity of cannabis was on Monday remanded to prison when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
The allegation against Seon McDonald, of Lot 4, Grove Public Road, East Bank Demerara, is that on June 7, in the North West District, he had in his possession 741 grammes of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.
McDonald denied the charge when it was read to him.
Prosecutor Bharat Mangru said that on the day in question the defendant was travelling in a speed boat when he was confronted by a police patrol. According to the prosecutor, McDonald was at the time seated in front of the boat with a JanSport haversack beside him. The court heard that a search was conducted and a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems, suspected to be cannabis, were found inside the haversack.
McDonald was subsequently taken into custody and the items were weighed and amounted to 741 grammes of the illegal substance. He was then told of the offence committed, arrested and charged.
The prosecutor objected to bail being granted, noting that no special circumstances were advanced by the accused.
It was at this time that McDonald requested to speak. When given a chance, he said that at no time did he have any haversack in his possession as claimed by the police.
McDonald, who was unrepresented by counsel, further explained that there were five other occupants in the boat at the time and he could not see why he was the only person charged. Magistrate Sewnarine-Beharry pointed out to the accused that his assertions differed from those of the prosecution and that a trial will be conducted.
She then informed McDonald that he would be remanded to prison.The case was transferred to the Mabaruma Magistrate’s Court, where it will be called on August 18.
