Tomal Jeremiah Clarke, a 30-year-old taxi driver residing at Lot 183 Section ‘B’, Pattensen, Turkeyen, was apprehended by the police around 3.30 yesterday afternoon after they discovered he had 73.936 kgs (163 lbs) of marijuana.
The police said in a statement that officers from Regional Division #5 were conducting a ‘stop and search’ operation near Weldaad Police Station in West Berbice when they halted motor car #PAG 8451, which was being driven by Clarke and moving westward on the southern road.
The police requested Clarke to pull over to the side of the road. He was seen behaving suspiciously, and a ‘strong odour’ was noticeable coming from the vehicle. Rather than adhering to the police’s signal, the driver accelerated away. During the chase, the Mahaicony Police Station was alerted for assistance in intercepting the vehicle.
Responding to the alert, officers from Mahaicony, including a corporal and six others, set up a ‘stop point’ on the Calcutta Public Road where they successfully intercepted motorcar PAG 8451.
A search of the vehicle uncovered five large black garbage bags filled with leaves, seeds, and stems believed to be cannabis. The driver, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, introduced himself as Tomal Clarke. He was made aware of the offence, arrested, and read his rights. He acknowledged ownership of the drugs, explaining that he was behind on his car payments and was attempting to earn extra money.
Clarke, along with the motor car and the five bags of suspected cannabis, was taken to the Mahaicony Police Station, where the drugs were weighed in his presence and amounted to 73.936 kgs (163 lbs). Clarke remains in custody as investigations proceed.