3 Bartica residents jailed for narco trafficking 

Four Bartica residents have been convicted or cleared following the conclusion of a narcotics trafficking case at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court.
The matter stemmed from the arrest of four individuals after law enforcement officers discovered 272 grams of cannabis in their possession. The accused were Tecina Angel Wills, a 22-year-old firewoman of Two and a Half Miles, Bartica, Potaro Road; Rhon Smith, a 36-year-old labourer of Mora Camp, Bartica; Walter Benn, a 27-year-old prison officer of Mora Camp, Bartica; and Melissa Allen, a 28-year-old vendor of Mora Camp, Bartica, Essequibo River.
The four were arrested on January 29, 2025, and were subsequently charged with possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.
On Tuesday, the accused appeared before Magistrate Teriq Mohammed at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court, where the trial was conducted.
At the conclusion of the proceedings, Wills and Smith were found guilty of the charge and each sentenced to two years’ imprisonment. Benn pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment.
Allen was found not guilty, and the charge against her was dismissed.