“Handicapped” Berbice man jailed for six pounds ganja in suitcase

By Paula Gomes

Mark Anthony Tim, a “partially handicapped” man (as described by his Lawyer), of Stanleytown, New Amsterdam, Berbice made his second court appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Thursday, where he was remanded to prison for trafficking in over six pounds of cannabis, almost a month after he was charged for uttering false information to the Police.
Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan read the allegation to the effect that the accused that on July 24, 2017, at Evans Street in Charlestown, Georgetown, in possession of 2870 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.
The defendant who was represented by Attorney-at-law, Jed Vasconcellos, denied the allegation and opted to enter into a not guilty plea while his lawyer in a lengthy application for bail, stressing on his client’s physical defect, no knowledge and non-possession of the alleged illicit substance, as grounds for his submission to the court.
Vasconcellos further added that the defendant was involved in an accident on July 22, 2017, and was arrested by Police in relation to the traffic offence. According to defence counsel, his client was kept in Police custody for an excessive period of time (exceeding 72 hours) and was taken before the courts on July 27 where he was charged for uttering false information, some five days after his arrest.
The man was reportedly re-arrested despite being granted $50,000 bail by the court, three weeks ago, and was released on July 31, 2017. The lawyer requested bail in the above circumstances and considering the fact that his client had at all times cooperated with Police during the course of the investigation.
Moreover, the court heard that the defendant poses no risk of flight, as he is not the owner of any travel document (passport).
Contrary to Defence counsel’s version of the incident, Police Prosecutor Arvin Moore, attested that the narcotics was found in a suitcase in the motor car involved in the said accident, which was driven by the defendant.
According to Police facts, the accused attempted to “conceal the suitcase” post-accident by taking it out of the car. His efforts were aborted by a nearby Cop who summoned backup and conducted searches on the accused and the travel luggage, unearthing the narcotics in his presence.
The Prosecutor posed a strong objection to bail on the grounds that no special reasons were advanced by the defence; also emphasising on the high possibility of flight the accused poses, who may evade trial in the event that he is released on bail.
The court heard that the analyst’s report is yet outstanding and the matter stands adjourned to September 8, 2017, in these circumstances.