Dwayne Harcourt, who told a city court that he uses ganja for his asthma, was on Monday fined and ordered to perform community service after being charged with narcotics possession.
Harcourt admitted that on January 15, at Craig, East Bank Demerara, he had in his possession one gramme of cannabis, which he uses for medical purposes.
Prosecutor Bharat Mangru said police on patrol saw Harcourt sitting at a table at his Lot 105 Second Street, Craig residence. With their suspicion aroused, they conducted a search and found leaves, seeds and stems. Harcourt subsequently admitted that the illegal substance belonged to him, Mangru added.
After his admission of guilt on Monday, Harcourt was fined $3,000 and ordered to do six months of community service.
Meanwhile, Basdai Livan, also of Craig, was remanded to prison after being charged with possession of 33 grammes of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking. It is alleged that the cannabis was found in her dining room last Thursday morning.
Livan pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to her by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.
Mangru said the police were acting on information received when they went to Livan’s home and requested the search that would eventually uncover the cannabis. When told of the discovery, he said, Livan admitted that the drug belonged to her.
The police also received addition information that she sells the illegal substance.
Her attorney applied for bail but it was refused after the prosecutor pointed out that special reasons must be given for consideration. The case will be called again at the Providence Magistrate’s Court on January 23.
