Two men were yesterday each sentenced to 56 months behind bars after they were found guilty of ganja trafficking, a day after their alleged co-conspirator, pregnant 19-year-old Latoya Osborne, was acquitted.
Ziggy Webster and Julius Joyce were sentenced by Magistrate Judy Latchman, who found them guilty of trafficking 255 grammes of cannabis at the conclusion of their trial in Georgetown.
In addition to the prison sentences, the two friends were also fined $382,500 each.
Osborne, Webster’s reputed wife, was found not guilty of the charge on Thursday, when the court ruled that a prima facie case was not made out against her.
Webster, 22, a dredge owner of 164 Non Pareil, East Coast Demerara, failed to attend yesterday’s hearing and he was sentenced in his absence. Osborne, who shares an address with Webster, was also not present when she was found not guilty.
At the close of the prosecution’s case, Joyce was given an opportunity to present witnesses to lead his defence but the visibly distressed man lamented his inability to so do.
The persons whom he said could attest to his innocence were a no-show yesterday.
“Deh give me all assurances that deh gun come, meh worship, but me ain know wah happen. Me ain seeing nobody,” he said.
Joyce, a mason of Lot 34 West Ruimveldt and who said he will be a father next month, begged for lenience, while stressing that he was innocent of the crime.
The charge against the trio stated that on November 14, 2014, they had in their possession 255 grammes of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.
They all denied the charge at their arraignment before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on November 18 and they were remanded to prison.
However, Webster and Osborne were each subsequently granted a $250,000 bail release after making an approach to the High Court.
The unrepresented Joyce remained on remand up to the time of his sentencing.
The court proceeded with the trial in the absence of Webster and Osborne, who failed to attend the last two hearings.
In handing down her ruling, Magistrate Latchman said the prosecution had proven that the two men had custody, care, control and knowledge of the drugs, which were in their possession.
The court considered also the seriousness, prevalence, value of the drug and need to deter potential offenders before informing that the men would be sentenced to 56 months behind bars and fined $382,500 each.
The prosecution’s case was that on November 14, the police received certain information which led them to a Lot 154 Middle Road La Penitence house where they observed Webster and Joyce weighing and packing into Ziploc and other bags what was later confirmed to be cannabis.
The court had heard during the trial that Osborne was in the bedroom sitting on a bed with the men as they packed the drug, unaware they were being watched by one of the ranks who peeped through an ajar door.
They were all later arrested and charged.
The trial, which saw two police witnesses taking the stand, commenced on Wednesday and ended yesterday.
