Prison Service’s steel pan instructor slapped with narco trafficking charge

A 41-year-old steel pan instructor of the Guyana Prison Service was on Tuesday remanded to prison when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
Shawn Koulen pleaded not guilty to a drug trafficking charge when it was read to him by Magistrate Fabayo Azore.
The charge stated that on August 11, at the Camp Street Prison, he had in his possession 400 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.
Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones disclosed to the court that on the day in questioned, the defendant was about to teach steel pan lessons to inmates when he was intercepted by Police ranks who, acting upon information, conducted a search on him. The search revealed a quantity of stems, leaves and seeds in three yellow bags in a haversack.
The unrepresented defendant, who resides at Lot 144 Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, made an application for bail on the grounds that he has two minor children, noting that his wife is pregnant with their third child.
Koulen was nonetheless remanded to prison. The case will continue on September 12.