Two men were yesterday refused bail and remanded to prison after being accused of trafficking ganja in the interior.
Trevor Craig, a 22-year-old carpenter, was allegedly caught by the police with almost 500 grammes of marijuana.
It is alleged that on July 18, at the Sherima Police Outpost, Esse-quibo, Craig, of 80 First Street, Silvertown Linden, had in his possession 492 grammes of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking. Craig pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him by Chief Magis-trate Ann McLennan in a Georgetown court.
According to Craig’s lawyer, Motee Singh, his client was among other persons at the crossing when the police discovered the narcotics. Singh said that no other person was charged for the offence and, therefore, requested that he be given reasonable bail.
Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones objected to bail, while stating that the drugs were found in a bag that belonged to the accused. According to the prosecutor, Craig admitted to the police that the drugs were his.
The Chief Magistrate subsequently remanded Craig to prison until August 10, when the matter will be heard at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court.
Meanwhile, Lethem resident Dexter Franklyn, 22, also pleaded not guilty to trafficking cannabis in the interior when he was arraigned before the Chief Magistrate.
Franklyn, 22, denied the charge that on July 19, at Aishalton, he had in his possession 465 grammes of cannabis for trafficking.
Franklyn was also represented by Singh, who told the court that on the day in question his client was on a truck with seven others on their way to deliver fuel in the interior. Singh said the drugs were found in a bag, among groceries and fuel. The driver of the truck along with other persons were arrested by the police but later released. The lawyer said that Franklyn was the only one who was charged for the offence even though he told the police that he was innocent. Singh further told the court that his client should be released on bail since he was not the only one in the vehicle at the time of the discovery.
But Prosecutor Jones, who objected to bail, said his facts about the discovery differed from the attorney’s account. Jones said that the drugs were found in the cab of the lorry behind Franklyn’s seat. The prosecutor further noted that when the drugs were shown to the accused by the police, he later admitted ownership while under caution.
The Chief Magistrate remanded Franklyn to prison and the matter was adjourned until September 1, when it is to be heard at the Lethem magistrate’s court.
