CANU ranks testify in trial of baker, wife caught with ganja in gas bottles

Apr 05, 2018 News

Colin Denny and Malika Softleigh

Two Custom Anti –Narcotics Unit (CANU) ranks yesterday testified in the trial of a couple who is accused of trafficking 57.9 grams of marijuana.
It is alleged that between November 14 and November 15, 2017, Colin Denny, a baker, and his wife Malika Softleigh, trafficked the narcotics. Both defendants have denied the allegation and are out of $400,000 bail, each.
They are being represented by Attorney-at-law James Bond.
The trial is being conducted before Principal Magistrate, Judy Latchman in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
Yesterday, CANU Prosecutor Konyo Sandiford called two witnesses; an intelligence officer told the court that on November 15, last, he was a member of a search party that carried out a narcotics investigation in Georgetown.
The rank told the court that based on instructions he received, he uplifted a camera and a memory card from CANU Headquarters. The rank said he then went to Lot 6 ‘C’ Tucville Terrace, Georgetown.
On arrival at the address, he said he observed the property was secured by a concrete fence and the gate was locked with a chain and padlock.
The court heard that the officer and other ranks went into the yard and they were given instruction to take photographic exposure of the house.
He was then given further instruction and as a result, he went to the East La Penitence Police Station for assistance.
He and the officer then returned to the said apartment where they used forced entry to get into the apartment.
On entry into the apartment, the rank said a search was done on the upper flat of the building and nothing of evidential value was found. The court heard that the ranks then went to the lower flat of the building and in the kitchen area they observed three 100 pounds white gas cylinders.
An officer then conducted a sound test on the bottles which give a hallow sound. This made them suspicious that something was in the bottles.
The bottles were then taken into possession by the officers. On completion of the search, the ranks went back to CANU Headquarters with the gas bottles.
At CANU Headquarters, the rank took photographic exposure of the cutting of the bottles and the marking of the suspected narcotics. On completion, 36 photographs were taken. The matter was adjourned until April 6, for continuation of the trial. According to information, CANU ranks acting on an intelligence report, found the cannabis in three 100-pound gas cylinders at the Tucville address.
The cylinders were allegedly purchased by Softleigh, had been sent to Berbice and were then returned to Georgetown, at the home of Softleigh’s cousin at Tucville.
It was reported that while the cylinders were at the Tucville address, they were open and mud was found stuffed into the bottom along with black plastic.
When the plastic was removed, several parcels of transparent packages, containing leaves, seeds and stems, suspected to be cannabis, were found. Both defendants were arrested and charge for the offence.

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