Prison Officer charged for taking ganja into Camp Street Prison
Remanded: Shondel Watson covers her face as she is escorted from the courtroom
An emotional 26-year-old Shondel Watson appeared before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty on Friday, charged for trafficking a quantity of marijuana into the Camp Street Prison.
The prison officer of C Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown, denied the charge which stated that on June 27, 2019, at Camp Street Prison, Georgetown, she had in her possession 314 grams of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.
Prosecutor Seon Blackman informed the court that on the day in question, about 08:20h, Watson was observed acting in a suspicious manner by a Police Officer, who later conducted a search and discovered a parcel in the defendant’s skirt waist.
Another search on Watson’s handbag unearthed two other parcels of marijuana concealed in a bowl.
In an effort to explain herself, Watson in tears told the court that the prosecution’s facts are far from the truth. The woman explained that when she arrived at the prison, she was searched before being allowed into the premises. The court heard that Watson lodged her handbag with a security guard and visited the washroom. However, upon her return, she was approached by two officers who then requested to conduct a search on her belongings.
As the search was in process, Watson said, a police officer then informed her that the illegal drug was found hidden in her skirt waist. Nevertheless, the defendant maintained her innocence as she claimed that there was no bowl in her bag.
Prosecutor Blackman objected to bail on the grounds that she had knowledge, control and possession of the illegal substance.
Magistrate McGusty, after listening to the facts and the defendant’s explanation, remanded the woman to prison. The case will continue on July 2, 2019.
