Truck passenger remanded on ganja trafficking charge

Mar 19, 2019 News

A miner was arraigned yesterday in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan to answer a charge in which he is accused of being in possession of just over two pounds of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.
It was alleged that the accused, Alex Thomas, on March 15, 2019 at Vulture Boat Service Landing had in his possession 1,035 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield indicated to the court that Thomas, 26, who resides at Lot 16 Public Road, Coverden, East Bank Demerara, had no special reasons for being in possession of the narcotics when he was found. As a result, the prosecutor objected to bail for the defendant.

Alex Thomas

The facts of the charge indicated that on the day in question, ranks from the Bartica Police Station, acting on information received, went to the location.
Contact was made with Thomas who at the time had a bag and a GT beer box in his possession. The ranks after identifying themselves asked who the articles belonged to and Thomas answered in the affirmative.
A search was conducted on the accused, however nothing was found on his person or the bag he had on him. The box was then searched, and it was discovered that it contained two parcels wrapped in plastic.
The parcels when checked contained a quantity of stems, leaves and seeds suspected of being cannabis. This was shown to Thomas and he denied ownership of it.
Thomas was taken into police custody along with the items which were weighed in his presence and amounted to the sum mentioned in the charge.
After the prosecutor related the facts of the charge, Thomas asked to say something. He stated that, “Your honour, I was there with my bag only; waiting for a truck to travel. I did see this box, but it look like rubbish to me, so I didn’t bother with it.”
He went on to say that, “The police come and search me and everybody else. They ain’t find nothing on me, but suddenly I feel a stern hand on my shoulder and somebody say move to the police truck.”
According to Thomas, he complied, because he knew he had not done anything wrong. “I went with them willingly; nobody told me I was under arrest or being charged.”
“Nobody else was arrested or anything, but they took me. When I get to the station and I heard is what going on, I understand, and I say is because I is a ‘rasta’ that’s why I’m a suspect.
Magistrate McLennan then stated that, “I’m going to give you a chance to clear your name and I’m going to grant you bail; however you need to make sure that you return to court or an arrest warrant will be sent out for you or a trial done in your absence.”
Bail was granted in the sum of $110,000. The matter was transferred to the Bartica Magistrate’s Court on April 11, when Thomas is expected to make his next appearance.

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