Duo remanded for narco possession, assault

Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan remanded two men who were found with marijuana and fought while in Police custody.
Twenty-four-year-old Joel Amsterdam and Kevon Velloza, 27, both appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts and denied the charge which stated that on January 25 at First Avenue, Bartica, Region Seven, (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), they had in their possession 1454 grams of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.
It was further alleged that on the same day and at the same location, Velloza assaulted Amsterdam so as to cause him actual bodily harm.
The prosecution is contending that on January 25 at about 10:15h, both defendants were passing the Bartica Police Station acting in a suspicious manner.
Ranks then attempted to carry out a search and both men began running. However, their bid to escape was short-lived as officers gave chase and apprehend them.
They were then arrested and taken to the station where a search was carried out on their possession and a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be narcotics were found in a black haversack.
While at the station, both men were placed in a lock-up and they were involved in an argument. It was then that Velloza dealt Amsterdam a cuff to his face and kicked him about his body.
Ranks then intervened and took Amsterdam to the hospital where he was treated for his injuries. Velloza admitted that he assaulted Amsterdam and was fined $10,000. Failure to pay the fine will result in three weeks’ imprisonment.
The case will continue on January 30, 2020, at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court.