A farmer was yesterday remanded to prison after he denied having in his possession almost five pounds of cocaine.
Wayne Correia, 37, stood before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, who read the charge to him.
It is alleged that Correia, on November 20th, at Pomeroon River, had 2.22 kilogrammes (equivalent to almost 5 pounds) of cocaine in his possession for trafficking.
The accused denied the charge.
Police prosecutor Gordon Mansfield told the court that on the date in question, ranks from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Narcotics Branch, acting on information, went to Correia’s residence. The prosecutor noted that Correia lives on an island that is only accessible by boat and he is the only occupant of the island.
A search was conducted in and around his premises and a quantity of suspected cocaine was found in a wooden box in a workshop. Further checks revealed a second set of cocaine in a cooler, which was under a house.
Mansfield then objected to bail being granted to the accused based on the facts that he presented.
However, attorney Stanley Moore requested that his client be granted bail.
The attorney noted that his client lives along the river bank on a premises that is not fenced and that the property is accessible to persons living along the river. He added that there are multiple persons that reside on the premises and that nothing was found on the person of Correia. Upon these grounds, he requested reasonable bail for the farmer.
Having heard from both the prosecutor and the attorney, the Chief Magistrate denied the accused bail and remanded him to prison. The matter was adjourned until December 10th, when it is expected to be heard at the Charity Magistrates’ Court.
