Charlestown mechanic remanded on trafficking charge; South Ruimveldt man gets bail for threats

Two Georgetown men faced separate charges before the courts on Friday, one for narcotics trafficking and the other for threatening language. One was granted bail, the other was remanded to prison.
Charles Rawlins, a mechanic of Charlestown, was remanded to prison after being charged with possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.
Rawlins appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, where he pleaded not guilty to the charge.
It is alleged that on July 17, Rawlins was found with 98.4 grams of cannabis at Water Street, Stabroek Market.
His attorney, Clevaun Humphrey, told the court that Rawlins is a mechanic and part-time vendor at the market. While acknowledging that his client had a prior robbery charge, Humphrey stressed that the incidents were unrelated. He argued that the cannabis was not found directly in Rawlins’ possession but in a bag that did not belong to him.
The attorney emphasised the busy market setting, claiming multiple persons were nearby at the time of the discovery. He also noted that Rawlins made no confession to ownership and requested that bail be granted.
However, the prosecutor objected to bail, informing the court that during questioning, Rawlins pointed to a small parcel containing the cannabis and reportedly said, “Y’all gon fight me down for this little thing?” The court also heard that the entire arrest was captured on video.

Magistrate McGusty denied bail and remanded Rawlins to prison. The matter was adjourned to August 22.
In a separate matter, Christopher Fraser, of South Ruimveldt, was charged with threatening language towards Clarissa Phillips.
The incident allegedly occurred on June 23, at South Ruimveldt. Fraser also appeared before Magistrate McGusty and pleaded not guilty.
When questioned about his absence from earlier court dates, Fraser said he was unaware of the proceedings and further told the court, “My leg is broke at the moment and I just got upset on that day.”
He was granted $10,000 bail, and the case was adjourned to August 8.