The self-employed Ray Peters, who was arrested on Monday, February 3rd, in the Brickdam area of Georgetown with five grams of cocaine, has been sentenced to two years in prison and fined $7,500 after his arraignment before Chief Magistrate (ag) Faith McGusty in her Georgetown Court on Wednesday, February 5th, on a charge of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.
The prosecutor detailed that police ranks were patrolling the Stabroek Market area when they noticed this 50-year-old defendant acting in a certain manner, and their suspicions were raised. As they approached him to conduct a search on his person, he allegedly dropped a parcel, which upon inspection contained a brick-like substance. It was later confirmed to be cocaine, the weight of which was five grams.
Peters pleaded guilty as charged before Magistrate McGusty, and the magistrate, seeking clarity on his plea, asked him several questions to ensure he understood the seriousness of admitting guilt. When asked about the cocaine, Peters said he found it at the side of a truck, and he claimed it was for his personal use, to alleviate back pain. He confirmed being aware that cocaine is illegal, and when asked if anyone had coerced him into pleading guilty, he responded in the negative.
Magistrate McGusty questioned him further, emphasizing that a guilty plea means he acknowledges the criminal nature of his actions. The man, however, affirmed that he was not forced into his decision, and had voluntarily admitted his guilt.
Taking into account the man’s guilty plea, the fact that he did not waste the court’s time, and that he was of a senior age, Magistrate McGusty decided to impose a lighter sentence than is usual for such cases. As such, the man was sentenced to two years in prison and fined $7,500 for the offence.