“Not my parcel”— man allegedly caught with ganja tells court

A 25-year-old man who was arrested during a sting operation carried out by ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) for possession of narcotics on Monday made his first court appearance to answer to the charge.
Marlon Belle, of Lot 141 Guyhoc Park, Georgetown, is accused of having 46 grams of cannabis in his possession for the purpose of trafficking while he was in the vicinity of Plum Park, Sophia, Greater Georgetown on October 15, 2018.
The father of two denied the charge when it was read to him by Magistrate Judy Latchman. The prosecution is contending that on October 15, 2018, ranks went to the Black and White Bridge in Sophia, where they observed several suspicious males hanging out in the area. As such, they were approached, and a search was carried out of their person.
It was during that search that the ranks unearthed seeds, leaves, and stems suspected to be cannabis, which were concealed in a blue bag that Belle had in his possession. The construction worker was taken into custody.
During his court appearance on Monday, Belle, in a bail application on his own behalf, told the court that “it was not my parcel”. He further explained that it was after the Police carried out the search, the parcel was found on the ground.
Moreover, he said: “I was the only target among the other men; nobody else ain’t get lock up, so after they put me to lay down on the ground, I get confused and then they see de bag drop from somebody else on me.”
The court was also informed by the unrepresented man that he was detained for more than 72 hours.
While objecting to bail being granted, Police Prosecutor Quinn Harris informed the court that there were no special reasons for bail to be granted.
Magistrate Latchman upheld the prosecution’s submission and remanded the man to prison. The case will continue on October 30, 2018.