No bail for taxi driver accused of trafficking ganja

Aug 18, 2017 Court Stories, Features / Columnists, News

A taxi driver, who was recently charged for giving a police officer a wrong name, was yesterday remanded to prison for allegedly having in his possession over six pounds of marijuana.

Remanded to prison Mark Anthony

Mark Anthony, 35, of 66 Stanleytown, New Amsterdam, Berbice, pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleged that on July 24 at Evans Street, Charlestown, Georgetown he had in his possession 2,870 grams of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.
The defendant appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
Anthony was represented by Attorney-at-law Jed Vasconcellos who asked that his client be released on bail, citing that he is partially handicapped due to the fact that the sole of his feet is bent and he cannot stand or walk for long periods.
The lawyer went on to tell the court that his client was involved in an accident with a police officer on June 22, and it was when he went to the station that he was arrested for giving a police officer a wrong name.
The lawyer added that the vehicle that the alleged narcotics were found in does not belong to his client, since he borrowed it from a friend on the day in question.
The attorney added that since his client was arrested he has been cooperating with the police in their investigation.
However Police Prosecutor Arvin Moore objected to bail being granted to the defendant citing that no special reason was outlined by defence counsel.
The prosecutor went on to tell the court that based on the prevalence of the offence, if granted bail, the defendant would not return to court for the trial.
Facts presented by the Prosecutor stated that on the day in question the vehicle which was being driven by the defendant slammed into a police officer’s vehicle.
The court heard that after the accident the defendant was approached by the officer and he attempted to exit the vehicle with a suitcase which was in the back seat of the car. The officer called for back-up and gave chase after the defendant attempted to get rid of the suitcase.
The defendant was later intercepted by a party of policemen after he attempted to throw the suitcase in a yard.
The prosecutor told the court that the suitcase was searched in the presence of the defendant and a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be narcotics were unearthed.
The defendant was then arrested and taken to the Ruimveldt Police Station.
Anthony was previously charged and ordered to post $15,000 bail by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan after he denied a charged which alleged that on July 23, last, at Ruimveldt Police Station, he told Corporal Eastman that his name was Justin Tony Chase, knowing same to be false.
Anthony will make his next court appearance on September 8.

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