Parika labourer arrested for 3.3 grams ganja found in boots

A labourer of Parika, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), was on Saturday evening nabbed with 3.3 grams of cannabis in his possession.
Based on reports received, about 21:48h on the night in question, Police ranks were on foot patrol along the Parika Public Road when they observed the man acting in a suspicious manner. He was subsequently approached and a search was conducted on his person during which three ziplock bags with the illegal substance were unearthed in his left boot.
He was told of the offence and was taken into Police custody. Charges are expected to be laid shortly.
Back in July 2019, following extensive discussions and reviews, the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government approved a proposal to remove custodial sentences for persons found to be in possession of 30 grams or less of marijuana.
Narcotics possession remains an offence, although persons would not be sentenced to terms of imprisonment as obtained in the past.
This is the first of several steps that the former Government intended to take as it considered the Caribbean Community (Caricom) Report on the usages of marijuana, and in particular, usages by Rastafarians who require it for use in their worship and sacrament.
It was reported that prior to the removal of custodial sentencing, several groups, including politicians, have called for the removal of same for small amounts of marijuana.
This had stemmed from the sentencing of a 27-year-old man to three years for having eight grams of cannabis in his possession.
The AFC had called on all legislators to move with alacrity in upgrading the laws of Guyana to ensure that custodial sentences for small quantities of marijuana were removed from the law books in their entirety.
Then AFC Member of Parliament Michael Carrington in 2015 had taken a decriminalisation bill to the National Assembly for debate, but it has since been languishing on the order paper, being deferred time and time again.
Then Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had voiced his support for custodial sentences for small quantities of marijuana to be removed but maintained that he was not in favour of the legalisation of marijuana for commercial purposes.
The former President had stated that he was not opposed to having the offenders face some penalty, but he would recommend alternative or non-custodial sentencing such as community work and rehabilitation.