A routine police search at a business premises in Five Miles, Region One on October 26, 2024 led to the discovery of 494.7 grammes of cannabis.
The operation, according to a release by Guyana Police Force, began around 7:25 am and targeted a shop owned by 55-year-old Errol Belgrave, a resident of the area.
Upon arriving at Belgrave’s establishment, police requested permission to conduct a search, which he readily consented to, the release said. During the inspection, officers discovered a brown box on the floor of the shop. Inside, they found multiple black plastic bags, one of which contained a substantial quantity of leaves, seeds, and stems believed to be cannabis, it added.
Belgrave, the release said, attempted to downplay the find, stating, “It’s just a small amount I got, buddy.” However, further searches within the same box revealed two additional bulky black bags. One of these contained several small transparent bags filled with similar materials, while the other held a larger quantity of the same, the police said.
When he was informed of the suspicions against him and cautioned, Belgrave was quoted as saying: “I does sell some of this thing, and the rest I does boil for my son cause he’s trouble with asthma.”
Belgrave was arrested and taken to the Arakaka Police Outpost, where the suspected narcotics were weighed in his presence. The total weight was confirmed at 494.7 grammess. The seized items were then properly sealed, marked, and logged for evidence, the police said.
Belgrave provided a statement under caution before being placed into custody, it added. The authorities have indicated that investigations into the matter are ongoing, as they seek to clarify the extent of Belgrave’s involvement.
