A Barbadian national has been sentenced to three years in jail and fined $51.9 million after he accepted ownership for the marijuana that was found aboard a Barbadian cargo vessel at the GNIC Wharf on Wednesday.
Michael Forde, whose address was given as Dayville, St. Michael, Barbados, appeared before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly in a Georgetown Court, where he pleaded guilty to a possession of narcotics for trafficking charge.
As a result of his guilty plea, the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) withdrew an identical charge against Trevor Robinson of St. James, Barbados, Randy Welch, of Lot 856 Golden Grove, East Bank Demerara, Hardat Monilall, of 212, Charlotte Street, Bourda, George-town, who were also brought before the court.
Michael Forde
The charge against Clyde Outridge and James Emptage, who were absent from the court, was also withdrawn.
CANU had announced on Thursday that the six men, including the two Barbadians, were taken into custody, following the discovery of the narcotics by its agents during a search.
In a press release, CANU stated that the vessel, “CV 1 Barbados,” which was laden with perishable goods, such as plantains, coconuts and pumpkins, was intercepted at the GNIC Wharf, on Lombard Street, Georgetown.
The drugs were found in 71 parcels which were weighed and amounted to 69.246 kilogrammes (equivalent to 152 pounds) of suspected marijuana. CANU said that the parcels were concealed in a section of the vessel.
The release also revealed that the vessel, which is registered in Barbados, was searched twice this week as part of an ongoing operation. The first search was carried out on Tuesday, while the second search was conducted on Wednesday, when the discovery of the marijuana was made.
The vessel, which was destined for Barbados, is believed to have been here for several weeks and had undergone repairs while it was docked, CANU added.
