Bail for gold miner accused of bribing cop with raw gold

May 16, 2017 News

A gold miner was yesterday released on $150,000 bail by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan after he appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, accused of bribing a police officer.
Ernest Trotman, 39, of 594 Zeelugt, East Bank Demerara, pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleged that on May 9, at Issano Police Station, Mazaruni, he corruptly gave Alex Vaughn, a police officer, one ounce of raw gold as inducement to forbear to charge Wayne Stuart for trafficking narcotics.
The defendant was represented by Attorney-at-law Latchmie Rahamat, who told the court that a raid was conducted and the narcotics were found in a shop which her client operates.
The attorney said that her client was arrested and questioned in relation to the drug. She said that after being arrested, her client was searched, and he had in his possession one ounce of raw gold and a quantity of cash, which was lodged with the police.
Rahamat said that her client denied the allegation, and that she would contend that her client was kept in custody from May 9 to May 15, which is a breach to his constitutional rights.
Rahamat asked that her client be released on reasonable bail citing that he is not a flight risk.
However Police Prosecutor Arvin Moore told the court that the defendant operates a shop in Issano.
The Prosecutor further said that a search was conducted in the shop by police during which a quantity of narcotics was found.
The prosecutor stated that an investigation was carried out and the file was sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions for advice.
The court heard that it was during that period that Trotman offered the bribe to the police rank.
Trotman was released on bail and he will make his next court appearance on May 25 at the Bartica Magistrates Court.

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