50 months in jail, $215M fine for ganja trafficker

One of the three men who were arrested with over $79 million in marijuana over the weekend was jailed for 50 months and fined a whopping $215 million after pleading guilty to a drug trafficking charge at the Linden Magistrate’s Court.

Massiah Durant, 52, along with 44-year-old Shawn Lindie Snr and his son, Shawn Lindie Jnr, 29, were arraigned on Monday before Magistrate Wanda Fortune.
It is alleged that on March 26, at De Veldt along the Upper Berbice River, they had 717 kilograms of marijuana in their possession for the purpose of trafficking. While Durant pleaded guilty, the father and son denied the charge.
Magistrate Fortune sentenced Durant to 50 months in jail along with a fine of $215,100,000. Meanwhile, Shawn Lindie and his son, who were both represented by Attorney-at-Law Sian Dhurjon, were each granted $2 million bail.
The three men were arrested by agents of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard on Saturday following the discovery of 717 kilograms of Cannabis sativa at De Veldt along the Upper Berbice River.

Based on reports received, on the day in question, a special operations team attached to CANU along with officers from the GDF Coast Guard conducted a joint operation at De Veldt along the upper Berbice River.

During the operation, the officers searched a building that was occupied by several individuals including minors. During the search, several parcels of cannabis amounting to 717 kilograms (1580 pounds) were found.
As such, Durant and the Lindies were arrested and escorted to CANU Headquarters. CANU noted that the $79 million worth of ganja, from all indications, was being packaged for transhipment to another territory.

Meanwhile, CANU thanked the GDF for its continued support, especially when it comes to maritime operations. (G1)