A Wismar, Linden resident was yesterday refused bail on a charge of trafficking in cannabis and being in possession of an unlicensed firearm when he appeared before a city court.
The courtroom of Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan heard that on December 21, at Aroaima Upper Berbice, Andrew McCalman, 25, of 22 One Mile Wismar, Linden, had in his possession 2000 grammes of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking. McCalman, a welder by profession, pleaded not guilty to the charge. Mean-while, the accused was also charged with having in his possession a .32 Taurus Revolver without being a holder of a firearm licence. McCalman pleaded not guilty to this charge as well.
McCalman’s attorney later asked the court to grant his client substantial bail. The lawyer also stated that his client has no previous convictions.
Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones objected to bail based on the gravity of the offence and that the defendant’s counsel provided the court with no special reason. According to Jones on the day in question, the police, acting on information, stopped and searched a vehicle at the Aroaima checkpoint that was driven by McCalman. According to the prosecutor there were two passengers in the vehicle, who escaped as the police searched. During the search the police found the drugs and the gun on the car’s floor behind the driver’s seat. The defendant was later arrested and charged with the offence.
Magistrate McLennan subsequently denied bail for McCalman and remanded him to prison. His matter was adjourned until January 3, 2017 when it will be called at the Linden Magistrate’s Court.
