A Bagotville West Bank Demerara man was on Tuesday sentenced to prison after he was found guilty of having narcotics in his possession for the purpose of trafficking.
Sheldon Smith, 44, who said he was self-employed, was charged on February 20 with having 2,308 grammes of marijuana in his possession for the purpose of trafficking.
According to the police, on the day in question, at around 1.30 pm the police and the army were conducting a joint road block at Devonshire Castle when they stopped a hire car. Smith was sitting in the front seat of the car at the time and a light green bulky bag was found in the trunk of the car which Smith admitted to be his. A search was conducted and the marijuana was found in a Ziploc bag, which when weighed amounted to 2,308 grammes.
The man was arrested and charged.
On his first appearance at the Suddie Magistrate’s Court on February 21, Smith pleaded not guilty and bail was refused by Magistrate Sunil Scarce and he was remanded to prison. He was later granted bail in the High Court.
The man was represented by Attorney Latchmie Dindyal throughout the trial.
Before sentencing was handed down, Dindyal asked the court to be lenient with his client, since according to him, Smith was sorry for what had happened.
The man was fined $30,000 and sentenced to 48 months in prison.
