Bartica man jailed for 4 years for drug trafficking

A 43-year-old Bartica man was on Friday sentenced to four years’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to narcotics trafficking, while three other individuals appeared before the same court on similar charges and were granted bail.
Asif Bacchus, an unemployed resident of Arcade Street, Bartica, appeared via Zoom at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Ravindra Mohabir on Friday.
Bacchus was charged with possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking, contrary to Section 5(1)(a)(i) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act, Chapter 10:10.

After the charge was read to him, he entered a guilty plea and was sentenced to 48 months’ imprisonment. The conviction adds to ongoing law enforcement efforts in the Bartica district to curb the trafficking of illegal substances.
In a separate but related matter, three Bartica residents were also charged with possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking under the same act.
Eric David, 23, a construction worker of Three Miles, Bartica; Keegon Cummings, 25, also a construction worker of Three Miles; and Whitney Fraser, 35, a businesswoman of Four Miles Housing Scheme, appeared before Magistrate Mohabir at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court on the same day via Zoom.
The charges were read to the trio, and all three defendants pleaded not guilty. Bail was granted to each accused in the sum of $500,000. The matter was adjourned to March 27.