A Venezuelan national was yesterday remanded to prison after being charged with having possession of two pounds of cannabis for trafficking.
Franklin Gonsalves, 29, was read the charge by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, with the aid of a translator
It is alleged that the accused, a miner, on July 9th, at Kaikan Village, had 1,000 grammes (equivalent to 2.2 pounds) of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.
He denied the charge.
Police prosecutor Gordon Mansfield told the court that the drugs were found in a transparent plastic bowl, which was in a bag that Gonsalves was carrying.
The prosecutor went on to object to bail, citing the fact that the accused has no local address or ties to the jurisdiction. If granted bail, he noted, it is possible the accused would not return.
He was subsequently remanded to prison and the proceedings were adjourn-ed until September 17th, when it is to be heard at the Kamarang Magistrate’s Court.
