Rupununi men on $300K bail on cocaine trafficking charge

Two Rupununi men were on Monday granted bail on a charge of trafficking cocaine.
The duo appeared before Magistrate Omadat Chandan at the Lethem Magistrate’s Court.

Frederick Garraway of Tabatinga Lethem, Central Rupununi and Laurence France of New Culbert City also in Central Rupununi, are alleged to have 17.92 grams of cocaine, for the purpose of trafficking on May 30, at Tabatinga, Lethem.
They were charged with possession of narcotic for the purpose of trafficking: contrary to section 5(1)(a)(i) of the Narcotic Drug and Psychotropic Substance (Control) Act Chapter 10:10 of the Laws of Guyana.
Attorney at Law Bernard DaSilva who appeared for Garraway pleaded with the court to grant pretrial liberty to the accused arguing that he was not a flight risk and the frequency at which the court sits as one factor why the court should consider bail.
After listening to the arguments put forward, Magistrate Chandan set bail at $300,000. However, as a condition for bail, the Magistrate ordered that they both are to lodge their passports and will have to report to the Lethem Police Station every Friday morning.
The matter has been adjourned to 25 June, when the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) in Georgetown is expected to disclose all statements related to the case.