A Venezuelan national was yesterday sentenced to three years in jail, and fined, after admitting to being in possession of almost a pound of cannabis.
Waldimir Guerrero, through the aid of a translator, was charged with being in possession of 100 grammes of cannabis sativa for the purpose of trafficking.
The 22-year-old man, pleaded guilty to the offence which occurred on February 28, at Eteringbang Landing, Cuyuni River, Essequibo.
Facts presented by the prosecutor highlighted that on the day of the discovery, about 05:40 hrs, police on patrol duty, received certain information which led them to the Johanna Hotel, where they carried out a search on the defendant, along with other persons. It was during the search that the illicit drug was found in Guerrero’s right side pants pocket. He was then arrested, and immigration contacted.
The court heard that Guerrero gave the police a caution statement with the aid of a translator, where he admitted to the crime.
Guerrero told the translator, when asked, if what the prosecutor said was true, that the drugs were found on him when he went to the hotel to meet a client, that the drugs were for his use.
Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan later sentenced the defendant to three years in prison and fined him $120,000.
