Handyman jailed, fined $924,000 for ganja trafficking

A handyman was sentenced in absentia to three years in prison and fined $924,000 after being found guilty of trafficking two kilograms of marijuana.

Forty-two-year-old Richard Pillay of Melanie, East Coast Demerara (ECD), during a previous court appearance had denied the charge, which stated that on July 16, 2019, at Norton Street, Lodge, Georgetown, he had in his possession two kilograms (4.4 pounds) of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.
Pillay was on trial before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
However, on Friday, when the matter was called, Magistrate McLennan ruled that having considered the evidence led by Police Prosecutor Richard Innis, she found sufficient evidence to prove that Pillay indeed committed the offence. As a result, she sentenced him to three years behind bars and imposed a $924,000 fine.
The prosecution’s case had contended that on July 16, 2019, Police ranks, acting on information, went to a restaurant on Norton Street, Georgetown, where they saw Pillay and requested to search his belongings.
According to the prosecutor, during the search, the drug was found in a haversack the defendant was carrying. The prosecution is contending that the man admitted to ownership of the drug.
Following the discovery of the illegal substance, Pillay was charged and released on station bail and was ordered to report to the police. However, he never returned but was later apprehended and placed before the court. He was released on $75,000 bail following his court appearance. (G1)