Gold miner charged for ganja possession

Gold miner Richard Simon of Lot 111 Fourth Avenue, Bartica (Region 7: Cuyuni-Mazaruni) was on Friday arraigned before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on a cannabis possession charge alleging that on August 9, 2018, while at the Bartica Police Station, he had in his possession 61.2 grams of cannabis.
Represented by defence attorney Adrian Thompson, the 27-year-old Simon denied the charge, and Thompson, in a bail application, told the court that his client has no knowledge of any other matter, previous or pending, before the court.
The prosecution is contending that on the day in question, after a search was carried out on Simon’s person, the illegal substance was found, and he admitted to the offence and told officers that he uses the herb for medical purposes.
Police Prosecutor Vivian Adolph objected to Simon being placed on bail, telling the court that the father of two had previously been arraigned on another charge of a similar nature.
The miner was nevertheless released on $100,000 mail by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, who ordered Simon to report to the Bartica Police Station every Friday until completion of the matter.
The case will continue on August 30.