US citizen nabbed with ganja during sting operation granted bail

After pleading not guilty to the accusation of trafficking a quantity of marijuana, Daniel Islam was released on $60,000 bail on Monday.
The 21-year-old American citizen who resides at Enmore/Foulis, East Coast Demerara (ECD), appeared before Magistrate Rhondell Weever at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. It is alleged that he had 132 grams of cannabis sativa in his possession on Friday, November 24, 2023, at Camp Street, Georgetown.
He is employed by an ECD bakery.
Siand Dhurjon, Islam’s attorney, told the court that his client and two other men—one of whom is a friend—were travelling in a vehicle when they were stopped by the Police during a sting operation.
Dhurjon claims that the illicit substance was found in the front passenger seat of the vehicle, concealed in a bag on a mat. Additionally, he stated that Islam does not own the vehicle. Noting that Islam was sitting at the back of the vehicle, the lawyer argued the defence of multiple occupancy in his petition for reasonable bail. The lawyer claimed that the men tried to sell the marijuana to his client.
He further stated that his client’s residence on Waterloo Street in Georgetown was searched by the Police, but nothing illegal was discovered. He added that Islam had been physically attacked by the Police and coerced into making certain statements.
Dhurjon stated in his request for reasonable bail that Islam visits Guyana regularly and is presently filing for status here. He said that the defendant was prepared to follow through on any terms stipulated in the bail agreement, such as lodging his US passport and reporting to the local Police.
Since Islam was born in the United States, the prosecutor argued that he constituted a flight risk and opposed his release. The prosecutor said Islam’s parents are both Guyanese. But the prosecutor’s objections were rejected by the presiding Magistrate. In the end, Islam was given $60,000 bail with conditions.
He has to lodge his US passport with the clerk of court of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts and report to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters, located on Vlissengen Road in Georgetown, once every two weeks commencing from December 8.
If he disobeys these orders, his bail will be revoked. Islam will return to court on December 18, when the case will be called again for disclosure of witness statements, and exhibits.