Two men have been granted bail while their third alleged accomplice remains on remand on a trafficking of narcotics charge.
Dexter Morris, 36, also known as ‘Bajan’, of Lamaha Street, Alberttown, Georgetown; Ajay Mahadeo, 25, of Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara; and Joseph Wilkinson, called ‘Dreddy’, 36, of Campbellville Housing Scheme, George-town, were yesterday jointly charged with trafficking 210 kilogrammes of cannabis. This was after the individual charges against them were withdrawn and the new, joint charge was instituted. Police Prosecutor Richard Harris told the court that the new charge was being instituted following legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
It is alleged that on August 27, at Campbellville Housing Scheme, they had in their possession, 210 kilogrammes of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking. The men denied the charge. Morris and Mahadeo appeared virtually at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court while Wilkinson who was released on $500,000 High Court bail was present in the courtroom. Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan read the charge to the men.
Police Prosecutor Shellon Daniels previously told the court that Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) officers had received information that a drug pickup was taking place. The officers then went to the location, intercepted the three men, and found parcels containing suspected cannabis in a Route 32 bus. The driver of the bus was arrested while Morris and Mahadeo escaped
Attorney-at-law Latchmie Rahamat who represented Morris, again made an application for reasonable bail to be granted. In her application she told the court that her client was on his way into the interior when he was told that he was wanted in relation to the matter. She said that her client immediately surrendered with his attorney. She explained that her client was told that he would be charged with aiding to traffic drugs but when he appeared at court he was charged with trafficking the narcotic. She said that her client was not present when ranks from CANU arrested the other men.
Meanwhile Mahadeo was represented by attorney-at-law Bernard DaSilva. DaSilva also represented Wilkinson whose attorney, Nigel Hughes could not attend court. According to DaSilva, Mahadeo, who was the driver of the minibus, was hired by a woman who wanted him to “take a few bags somewhere.” He said that Mahadeo went to the location and someone began packing the items into his bus. During this time the ranks showed up and the woman escaped. He said that the woman was later arrested and based on information provided by her the men were charged. He said that his client is willing to comply with any conditions deemed fit by the court if reasonable bail is granted.
DaSilva then told the court that because Wilkinson has already been granted High Court bail, he is asking that the bail be transferred to the Magistrate’s Court.
Richards told the court that there are no objections to Wilkinson’s and Morris’ bail. However, he requested that the conditions applied to Wilkinson’s bail remain the same. That is that his passport remains lodged and he reports on the first Friday of every month. Morris was also released on $500,000 bail and the same conditions were applied.
However the prosecutor objected to Mahadeo being released on bail. He contended that Mahadeo had knowledge about what was being loaded and sees no special reason for the man to be released on bail. The man was further remanded.
The matter will be called again on October 20.
