Drug trafficking, possession charges land trio in court

In separate court appearances on Tuesday, three men faced charges related to drug possession and trafficking.
At the Bartica Magistrate’s Court, Steve Anthony King stood before Magistrate Teriq Mohamed, admitting guilt to the charge of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking as per section 5(1)(a)(i) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Control Act Chapter 10:10.
King, upon pleading guilty, was fined $30,000. Additionally, he was sentenced to 92 hours of community service to be completed at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court.
Meanwhile, at the Cove and John Magistrates’ Court on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) two other men faced similar charges.
Christopher Graham, a 34-year-old construction worker from Victoria Village, ECD, was apprehended on May 4.

Police said that on May 4 at about 22:45h, a party of police conducted a roadblock exercise on the Cove and John Public Road.
A silver/grey Toyota Premio motorcar, PAF 436, was stopped, and a strong odor suspected to be narcotics was detected. Police said that the driver and two occupants of the car were searched. A search was also done of the motor vehicle.
Graham who had a black pouch around his waist was searched and a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems were found.
The suspected narcotics amounted to 34.5 grams.
After pleading guilty, Magistrate Peter Hugh, fined Graham $30,000. Failure to pay the fine will result in him facing a six-month imprisonment term.

Nashon Johnson, a 28-year-old driver also from Victoria Village, ECD, stood accused of possession of narcotic for the purpose of trafficking.
Johnson was the driver of the motorcar in which Graham was found. Police said a search of the vehicle discovered a black garbage bag containing a quantity of leave, seeds, and stems. It is alleged that the Johnson claimed ownership of the bag which had 430 grams of cannabis. Johnson, however, pleaded not guilty to the offence during his court appearance
His application for bail was refused and he was remanded to prison. That case will continue at a later date. (G9)