A Beterverwagting man was yesterday granted his release on $100,000 bail after he denied ownership of a quantity of cannabis that was found aboard a truck that was intercepted by the police at Itaballi.
Mark Andre Ferguson, 31, appeared before city magistrate Leron Daly on a charge that he had in his possession 492 grammes of cannabis on September 10, at the Itaballi Police checkpoint.
Ferguson pleaded not guilty to the charge. According to attorney Dexter Todd, who appeared on behalf of Ferguson, on the day in question his client was the driver of a truck, which was occupied by several other persons in the back.
He added that while proceeding out of Bartica on their way into the backdam, the vehicle was stopped and searched by police. It was during this search that the cannabis was found in the back of the truck and not on the person of Ferguson or any of the other passengers.
Todd further stated that while his client was questioned by the police, the other passengers were not and they appeared to have a friendly relationship with the officers.
Police Prosecutor Nigel London agreed with the facts presented by Todd except the claim that the narcotics were found in the front of the vehicle and not the back.
The prosecution made no objection to bail.
Magistrate Daly subsequently granted set Fergusonโs bail at $100,000 and transferred the matter to the Chief Magistrate. The matter was subsequently adjourned to September 29, when it will be heard at the Bartica Magistrateโs Court.
