Berbice man busted with over $25M ganja gets $60K bail
Nabbed with a large quantity of marijuana after the Police had apprehended him following a high-speed chase in Mahaica, ECD, Carlos Edwards of Stanleytown, New Amsterdam Berbice has been charged with possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.
Appearing with legal representation on Tuesday before Mahaica Magistrate Marissa Mittelholzer, the 52-year-old Edwards has pleaded not guilty to a charge alleging that on January 20, at Helena No 1 Public Road, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara, he had in his possession 28.6 kilograms of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking. The drug carries a street value of $25,740,000.
Carlos Edwards at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts in December 2017
Despite the prosecutor’s serious objections to the defendant being released on bail, Magistrate Mittelholzer placed Edwards on $60,000 bail on ground that the court would not be able to commence his trial in a timely manner. Edwards is required to report to the Central Police Station in New Amsterdam once per week pending the hearing and determination of his trial.
Police in a statement said ranks from the Mahaica Police Station were on duty on the Helena No 1 Public Road when they observed black motor car HD 2099 overtaking several vehicles on the Mahaica Bridge at a fast rate of speed. The ranks attempted to stop the car, but it sped away, and they gave chase with aid of the siren and loud hailer, indicating to the driver to stop, but he refused.
The marijuana that Edwards was transporting in the car
The vehicle instead sped into Jonestown and hit a utility pole at Belmont, Mahaica. The driver then lost control of the vehicle, and it ended up in a trench. Edwards then exited the vehicle and attempted to escape with two bulky bags in his possession.
Upon being taken into custody, a total of nine black plastic parcels and three transparent plastic parcels containing ganja were found in his possession.
This is the second time that Edwards has been involved in a daring car chase with the Police. In December 2017, he was busted with almost 14 pounds of cannabis in his car trunk at Sheriff Street, Georgetown following a daring chase by Police. This publication understands that he had been charged in relation to that drug bust, and had been convicted and sentenced to five years’ imprisonment.
