Corentyne man awaits sentencing for trafficking 65 pounds of ganja

…two others plead not guilty, remanded

A Corentyne, Berbice man now awaits sentencing after admitting guilt to a charge of trafficking 65 pounds of marijuana. His two co-accused have been remanded to prison after entering pleas of not guilty. Tejlall Tejpaul, called “Bamboo”, a 46-year-old construction worker of Nigg Settlement, Corentyne, Berbice; Anand Jagat, called “Driver”, 35, of 136 Williamsburg, Corentyne, Berbice; and 36-year-old Tomeshwar Kemraj, called “Rambo”, also of Nigg Settlement, Corentyne, Berbice, were arrested by the Police on Monday with over 29,600 grams of marijuana while they were under a tree.
On Wednesday, they appeared before Magistrate Alex Moore at the Number 51 Magistrate’s Court, and Jagat and Kemraj pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking, while Tejpaul pleaded guilty. They were all remanded to prison, and the case has been adjourned until October 19, when Tejpaul would be sentenced and the case against the others would be report on.

Background

More than 29,600 grams of marijuana were seized, and four men were arrested during a Police intelligence-led operation on Monday at Johanna South, Black Bush Polder, Corentyne, Berbice.
During the operation, the ranks covertly placed themselves at strategic points in the bush about 150 metres from the home of a 35-year-old Black Bush Polder labourer. While there, the ranks observed three men sitting underneath a tree next to a blue-and-orange tarpaulin under which were several bulky parcels.
After observing the three men for over 10 minutes, the ranks tactically advanced toward them, and the men were taken by surprise. The ranks proceeded to open the bulky parcels, and immediately observed a quantity of leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be cannabis. As such, the men were told of the offence committed, cautioned, arrested, and escorted to the Police pick-up, along with the suspected cannabis.

The ranks then went to the home of the labourer, who was in the company of a 22-year-old labourer of Market Street, Rose Hall Town, Corentyne, Berbice. The ranks searched the house, and a plastic bag containing a quantity of leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be cannabis was found.
The 22-year-old labourer admitted ownership, and was then told of the offence committed, cautioned, arrested, and placed with the other three men who had earlier been arrested. The large quantity of suspected narcotics was escorted to the Whim Police Station, where it was weighed in the presence of the men, and it amounted to 29,583 grams, or 65.7 pounds.
Meanwhile, the narcotics found in the house were weighed in front of the 22-year-old, and they amounted to 35 grams. The parcels were sealed, lodged, and handed over to the Station Sergeant.