Bartica woman remanded for cocaine possession

A dishevelled Hazel Smith, along with her heavy luggage, was escorted by a Police rank into the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts from the mining town of Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) following a Police raid which saw her being busted with one gram of cocaine.
Magistrate Judy Latchman on Wednesday morning presided over the matter and read the charge to the defendant to the effect that she was allegedly in possession of one gram of cocaine on May 30, 2017 at Bartica, Region Seven.
The woman denied the allegation and opted to enter a not-guilty plea.
Smith related that she currently resided in Bartica, while providing an alternative address in Eccles Squatting Area, East Bank Demerara.
Prosecutor Shellon Payne strongly objected to bail on the grounds that there were no special reasons arising as to qualify the defendant to be released in the circumstances. Payne requested that the matter be transferred to the Bartica Magistrate’s Court.
Smith was then remanded to prison following the refusal of bail and ordered to return on the following day (Thursday) before the court of Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.
Appearing before the Chief Magistrate on Thursday afternoon, the defendant was yet again denied bail and the matter was transferred to be heard at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court on June 16, 2017. (Paula Gomes)