A Venezuelan man, who was charged with having over six kilos of cannabis in his possession, was yesterday sentenced to four years in jail after admitting to taking a chance due to hardships in his homeland.
With his admission, his two co-accused were freed.
The charge, which was read by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, alleges that on March 9th, at the Nova Hotel, situated on Robb and Cummings streets, Georgetown, Ganesh Dass, 26, had in his possession 6.150 kilogrammes (13.5 pounds) of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.
Dass was initially charged along with Ruel and Richie Boodhu, but after Dass pleaded guilty to the charge, Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) Prosecutor Konyo Sandiford asked that the charges against the two brothers be dropped.
Sandiford told the court that CANU officers went to the Nova Hotel, where they conducted a search in the presence of five suspects and 10 parcels of cannabis were found in a white salt bag underneath a bed in one of the rooms.
When asked if he had anything to say in relation of the matter, Dass said that due to the hardships of his life in Venezuela, he took a chance and did the crime. He also apologised for his actions.
Defence attorney Keoma Griffith then asked the Chief Magistrate to consider a light sentence, telling her that she should take note of the fact that Dass was forced to do the crime due to the economic and social situations in Venezuela. He also said that Dass is still young and he didn’t waste the police’s time as he admitted to the ownership of the cannabis since he was in custody.
Dass was subsequently sentenced to four years in jail and also fined $7.3 million.
