The couple allegedly found with over 75 pounds of ganja at their North Sophia home earlier this week are now remanded prisoners after being jointly charged today with possession of the narcotic for trafficking.
Godfrey Bacchus and his wife, Stacy Cort, denied the charge that on November 25th, 2019 at the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Reserve, North Sophia, they had 34.750 kilogrammes (76.5 pounds) of cannabis in their possession for the purpose of trafficking.
Bacchus, who is a 51-year-old sanitation worker, is facing two additional charges. It was alleged that on the same date and at the same location, he had in his possession an AK-47 and a pistol as well as 66 rounds of ammunition when he was not the holder of a firearm licence. He denied the charges.
The charges were read by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in a Georgetown court.
Attorney Bernard DaSilva, who represented the couple, told the court in his bail application that the guns and ammunition were not found in Bacchus’s possession but in a nearby trench while the narcotics were found in an ice pitcher, which a relative of his clients had brought. He said that the couple, who are the parents of five children, were not at home when the relative dropped off the ice-pitcher nor did they give him consent to carry it to their home.
DaSilva further contended that it was the relative who informed the police of the illegal items. He added that a wanted bulletin was issued for the relative.
However, according to Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield, the police, acting on information received, went to the couple’s home in North Sophia and upon their arrival Bacchus was seen throwing a wrapped parcel into the trench. They subsequently retrieved the parcel and discovered that it contained the illegal weapon and ammunition along with a small barrel, which contained the narcotic. A further search was conducted in the home of the couple and another set of cannabis was found in their bedroom. Subsequent to the couple’s arrest, Mansfield added, a video interview was conducted by the police with the couple, who admitted to the narcotics offence. He then objected to bail being granted.
The magistrate upheld his objections and remanded the couple to prison and adjourned the matter until December 4th, 2019, when it is to be heard at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court Two.
Police on Wednesday issued a wanted bulletin for Steve Richard Bacchus, who is suspected to have played a part in the crimes allegedly committed by the couple.