The two prison officers who were arrested on the Avenue of the Republic, Georgetown with a quantity of marijuana were on Wednesday taken before Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs to answer to the offence.
The marijuana that was found
The officers – 22-year-old Cleveland Cross of Graham Street, Plaisance, East Coast Demerara, and 24-year-old Abdul Parmasoo of Corentyne, Berbice – both denied that on May 27, 2018 at the Avenue of the Republic they had in their possession 434 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.
According to the prosecution’s case, Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels received information about the officers being involved in drug trafficking and made contact with ranks at the Brickdam Police Station. The ranks swooped down on the duo, and Cross was found with a haversack on his back. The haversack was searched, and the marijuana was found.
Cross reportedly told ranks that the drug was given to him by Parmasoo.
As such, both men were arrested and later charged with trafficking in narcotics.
However, in a statement issued by the Prison Director, it was revealed that both of the men collected a parcel from a civilian while on duty at the Georgetown Public Hospital.
Cleveland Cross and Abdul Parmasoo
As such, Police ranks set up a roadbook and stopped the minibus in which the duo were travelling.
A search was carried out by Police and the marijuana was found in a black bag in the possession of a prison officer. The two prison officers were escorted to Brickdam Police Station.
According to Samuel’s statement, one of the prison officers reportedly admitted to collecting the item from a civilian to deliver to a prisoner. He claimed that he was paid $20,000 to deliver the parcel.
Both men were remanded to prison and were expected to return on June 8, 2018.
