Two prison officers, including one with almost 20 years on the job, were yesterday charged with trying to smuggle marijuana and cigarettes into the Georgetown Prison on Camp Street.
Claudie Osborn, 46, who has 19 years of experience, denied that he had 110 grammes of cannabis in his possession for the purpose of trafficking on April 28 at the prison. He also denied another allegation that he conveyed a pack of cigarettes into the prison on the same day.
Meanwhile, Tedroy Nicholson, 27, of 2679 La Parfaite Harmonie, was charged with conveying cigarettes into the prison on the same day. Nicholson, who has been a prison officer for three years, also denied the charge.
The charges were read by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court 1, where prosecutor Sean Gonzales said Osborn had the items concealed in his left shoe and pants pocket, while Nicholson was found with the items on his person.
Attorney Jermain Jervis appeared for the two men and made an application for reasonable bail to be granted.
He said his account of the events that led to the charges differed from the account given by the police.
A search on the person of Osborn, Jervis said, did not uncover anything. In addition, he said the cigarettes were declared by the men.
But Gonzales objected to bail and warned that there is a likelihood of the men not appearing for trial if released.
Nicholson was nonetheless granted a $70,000 bail release, while Osborn was remanded to prison.
Their next court date is May 18th, when they will appear before Magistrate Judy Latchman.
