Jermaine Saran, a 23-year-old vendor, has been granted bail in the amount of $200,000 after appearing before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court to face a possession of narcotics charge.
The charge was read to him by Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty, to which Saran pleaded not guilty.
The charge states that on March 22, 2025, at Water Street, Georgetown, Saran was found in possession of 195.5 grams of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.
Saran, who resides at Lot 7 Lamaha Park Squatting Area, was arrested at the location after police allegedly discovered the suspected narcotic.
Jermaine Saran
During the court proceedings, Saran was represented by Attorney-at-Law Domnick Bess. The lawyer informed the court that his client had been at his stall at the Stabroek Market when the incident occurred. Bess explained that another vendor also conducts business in the same area.
According to the lawyer, the police conducted a search at a nearby stall approximately 20 yards away from Saran’s location, where the marijuana was reportedly found.
Bess further argued that his client had initially been in police custody on the allegation of possessing 140 grams of suspected marijuana. However, when the charge was formally presented in court, it stated that Saran was in possession of 195.5 grams. Bess also raised concerns that there was no confirmation that the items found were indeed marijuana.
The prosecution, on the other hand, stated that Saran had been under close observation, as he was seen selling an unknown substance to several individuals from a black plastic bag that was in a push cart. They stated that during the search, the push cart was located within Saran’s stall, where police reportedly found leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be marijuana.
Responding to the prosecution’s claims, Bess stated that based on his knowledge, where his client sells, there is no room for a push cart to fit there. He also asked for the prosecution to produce video footage from the officers’ body cameras since they should have been wearing one at the time of the arrest. This, he said would prove what they are saying is true.
After hearing the submissions, Magistrate McGusty granted Saran bail in the sum of $200,000. Saran is expected to return to court on April 23 for the continuation of the matter.
