Over 3lbs of cocaine found during Suddie stop-and-search

Police in Regional Division Two have taken three men into custody following the discovery of a quantity of cocaine during a stop-and-search exercise on the Suddie Public Road, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam). The incident occurred on Thursday at about 17:05h, when ranks from the Suddie Police Station were conducting routine checks along the public roadway. During the operation, Police stopped a white Toyota Fielder Wagon bearing registration number HD 2872. The vehicle was driven by a 29-year-old hire car driver of Spring Garden, Essequibo Coast. Two other occupants were in the vehicle were a 45-year-old mason of Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara (ECD), who was seated in the front passenger seat, and a 34-year-old fisherman of Good Hope, ECD, who was seated in the back seat with a multi-coloured haversack beside him.

During the stop-and-search exercise Police ranks instructed all occupants to exit the vehicle. Searches were conducted. A further search was then conducted on the multi-coloured haversack in the presence of the men and ranks discovered two black plastic bags containing several pieces of whitish, rock-like substances suspected to be cocaine. The narcotics were shown to the fisherman, who was informed of the allegation and allegedly admitted ownership of the cocaine.
The trio was arrested and escorted to the Suddie Police Station. The cocaine was later weighed in the presence of all three men and amounted to 1,539 grams, or approximately 3.397 pounds.
Meanwhile, on Friday, Kevin Cumberbatch of Good Hope, ECD, was charged for possession of narcotic for the purpose of trafficking. The offence is Contrary to Section 5 (1) (a) (i) of the Narcotic Drug and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act, chapter 10:10.
He appeared at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Ravindra Mohabir, where the charge was read and he pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor objected to bail, and the defendant was remanded to prison. The case will continue on February 26.