Labourer gets 18 months for narco-trafficking

– Pork-knocker granted $150,000 bail on similar charge

A 32-year-old labourer of Maria Henrietta Village in the Upper Berbice riverine community of Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) was on Wednesday sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment on a narco-trafficking charge.
Before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, Clarence France pleaded guilty to the charge which stated that on September 20, at Jonestown, Kwakwani, Region 10, he had 536 grammes of marijuana in his possession for the purpose of trafficking.
The Police have said that the man was charged contrary to Section (5)(1)(a)(i) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance (Control) Act 10:10.
The Chief Magistrate has sentenced France to 18 months’ imprisonment and imposed on him a fine of $804,000 for the offence.
Facts stated that, on the day in question, Police acting on information went to the residence of a known female in the Kwakwani district and searched her spouse.
While doing so, ranks found a small black haversack containing a wrapped transparent parcel that contained leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be cannabis sativa. As a consequence, he was arrested and told of the offence committed, to which he admitted ownership of the drug.
He was then taken to the Kwakwani Police Station, where he was processed for court.
Meanwhile, in a similar case called on Wednesday before Magistrate Crystal Lambert at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court, Sherwin Jackson, 44, a pork-knocker of Lot 1 Number 54 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, was arraigned for possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge, which stated that on September 21, he had 495 grammes of cannabis in his possession for the purpose of trafficking. He has been placed on $150,000 bail.
Facts stated that on the day in question, Police ranks acting on information went to the Bartica Arcade, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) where a man was seen carrying two bags.
Upon seeing the Police ranks, the man fled, but was later caught by the ranks who gave chase behind him. In the bags he was carrying, ranks found a bulky parcel wrapped with transparent plastic. Upon further examination, a quantity of leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be cannabis sativa were found in the bags. The illicit drug was brought to his attention and he admitted to ownership.
He was arrested and charged with the present offence. His next court date is October 22.