A cargo handler accused of trafficking almost three kilogrammes (kg) of cannabis on a Port Kaituma- bound vessel, was remanded to prison yesterday.
Junior Squires, 31, of Lot 242 Berbice Street, refuted the police’s claims that he on July 14, at Kingston, had 2.530 kg of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking, when the charge was read to him by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.
It is the police’s case that Squires was employed as a cargo handler attached to a vessel which plies the Georgetown to Port Kaituma route. According to Police Prosecutor Bharat Mangru, the defendant asked the captain of the vessel to keep a small black suitcase in his cabin. At 21:30h, acting on information, Mangru said, police officers went to the wharf and discovered the illegal substance in the suitcase that contained a photograph of the accused.
However, Squires’ lawyer, Clyde Forde told the court that his client was given the“items” as his job to record in the book. Forde further stated that Squires had no knowledge of the cannabis as a special reason to secure bail.
Mangru objected to Forde’s application citing that no special reason was offered.
Subsequently the Chief Magistrate refused bail and transferred the case to court five, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
The case will continue today, when a report will be given and a date fixed for trial.
