A policeman was one of two men charged in a city court yesterday with possession of over 50 pounds of cannabis for trafficking.
Quincy Bacchus, 28, of 29 Perry Street, New Amsterdam, Berbice, was charged alongside Raman Singh, 37, of Lot 1 School Street, Rose Hall Town, Corentyne, with the crime.
Both men pleaded not guilty but while Bacchus, a Police Corporal stationed at the Central Police Station, Berbice, was granted his release on bail, Singh was remanded to prison, despite him telling Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty that the policeman told him to claim ownership of the drugs after they were busted.
The charge states that on October 7th, 2019, at Aubrey Barker Road, they had 24.05 kilogrammes, which is equivalent to 53 pounds of marijuana, for the purpose of trafficking.
The charge was read to each man separately.
When addressing the court, Singh, who is a fisherman, said, “When police catch we and carry we at the station, Bacchus tell me to tell the police is me own.” He further explained that he had no knowledge of the illicit substance being in the vehicle.
Attorney-at-law George Thomas, who represented Bacchus, told the court that his client was asked by Singh for a drop and when Singh entered the vehicle he gave him a black plastic bag and that he did not check to see what was in the bag. The bag was placed in the trunk and when the police stopped them, the marijuana was found in the bag. He maintained his client’s innocence by stating that his client had no knowledge of the occupants of the plastic bag.
Police Prosecutor Seon Blackman objected to bail being granted to Singh on the grounds of the amount of the substance found. He also highlighted the need to send a strong message to perpetrators that such offences would not be tolerated.
Blackman, however, did not object to Bacchus being released on bail.
As a result, Singh was remanded to prison while Bacchus was released on $300,000 bail, with the condition that he lodge his passport with the court.
Both men were told to return to the court on November 8th for statements in the matter.
