A Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) taxi driver was remanded to prison after swift response by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) led to a drug bust on the Linden-Soesdyke Highway, East Bank Demerara, as the reported dealer was allegedly transporting several pounds of marijuana to the mining town.
Glen McBean was taken before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday morning charged with being in possession of 7.383 kilograms (over 16 pounds) of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.
Defence counsel Bernard Da Silva, in a bail application, told the court that the circumstances under which the drug was found were sufficient to constitute special reasons. He related that on the day of the incident, his client was transporting a passenger to Linden when he (the passenger) received a phone call and requested to be put off as they were turning into the Soesdyke junction. A few minutes later, the motor vehicle was stopped and searched by the Police, which led to the discovery of the alleged marijuana in the back seat and trunk of the car, the lawyer said. Attorney Da Silva maintained that his client should not be remanded based on mere speculation or suspicion. However, Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) Prosecutor Konyo Sandiford disputed the defence’s claims as she relayed Police facts to the court. According to Sandiford, Police had set up a road block at the Soesdyke junction after receiving intelligence from a source. The said passenger was reportedly let out of the car and the driver told officers that he only had “one bag of ganja” in the car. Nonetheless, a search revealed otherwise as several packets containing the suspected drug were found in various places in the car.
McBean is reportedly the registered owner of the car, HC 9763, and had allegedly accepted ownership of the drug in an oral statement under caution. The case will continue on July 31.
