Gold miner nabbed with 101.8 grams of marijuana at Itaballi Checkpoint
– found hiding cannabis in crotch area
Arrested: Winsley Danardo Richards known as “Rattie”
A 36-year-old gold miner from Farm Village, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) was arrested on Saturday after police allegedly found over 100 grams of marijuana concealed in his clothing during a routine stop at the Itaballi Checkpoint in Region Seven. Reports are that at around 13:00h, a Police Inspector on duty at the checkpoint intercepted a motor car bearing registration number PMM 1186. The vehicle was en route to Puruni Landing and was being driven by Errol Roberts. On board were three passengers: Winsley Danardo Richards known as “Rattie”, Carl Alleyne Wren, and Terrianna Nedd.
A search of the vehicle revealed nothing illegal. Officers then conducted personal searches on Wren and Nedd but also found nothing unlawful in their possession or belongings. However, police said Richards was observed behaving in a suspicious manner, prompting a more thorough search. During that search, ranks discovered two transparent parcels containing what appeared to be cannabis leaves, seeds, and stems concealed in the crotch area of his pants.
The suspected narcotics were seized, and Richards was told of the offence. The items were weighed in his presence and amounted to 101.8 grams.
Richards was taken into custody and escorted to the Bartica Police Station, where he is assisting with the investigation.
This is not the first time Richards has found himself before the court. On January 27, 2022, he, along with three other men, Imran Mohamed, Ryan Wilson, and Roberto Lewis, was charged with an armed robbery committed at Malgre Tout, West Bank Demerara (WBD).
The group was accused of robbing Altaz Mohamed of $500,000 while armed with a dangerous weapon. They appeared before Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate’s Court and were remanded to prison, but there were later released.
