Miner gets 12 months, fined $1.3M for ganja possession

Twenty-nine-year-old Neal Griffith, of Middle Street, McDoom, Greater Georgetown, was on Monday slapped with a 12-month jail term and fined $1.365 million for ganja trafficking.

Griffith made a virtual appearance at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court, where he pleaded guilty to the charge when it was read to him.
Police stated that on November 27, 2020 at Sherima Crossing, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Griffith had in his possession 913 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.
Guyana Times understands that on the day in question, Police ranks at the crossing conducted a search on a truck during which two bulky parcels were found in a bag belonging to the accused. During inspection, a quantity of leaves, seeds, and stems were unearthed.
Griffith claimed ownership of the bag and its contents, and as such, he was arrested. The illegal substance was weighed in his presence.
Over the past two weeks, several persons were arrested at the Itaballi Crossing with cannabis. On Saturday last, Police conducted a search on a truck during which a black plastic bag was found; when opened, it contained three parcels and 55 small ziplock bags filled with cannabis.
This has led to the arrest of a 22-year-old miner of Block 22 Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) after he claimed ownership of the 545 grams of weed.
Prior to that bust, a salesman was arrested after 791 grams of cannabis was found in his bag at the Police checkpoint at Itaballi.
It was reported that on November 20, Police ranks intercepted a truck and conducted a search on same.
During the operation, the ranks conducted searched a camouflage haversack belonging to the salesman and found a multi-coloured hammock which had two parcels containing the cannabis and a quantity of methamphetamines.
The salesman was told of the offence and cautioned. He then admitted ownership of the parcels and was subsequently arrested and charged.