Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson yesterday ordered that a 53-year-old man be remanded to prison when he appeared before her at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court for allegedly being found with a quantity of cannabis in a bag at the Bartica Police Station.

Michael Garnett

Michael Garnett of Lot 23 Victoria Road, Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara, entered a not-guilty plea to the charge of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

He denied that he had 1,190 grammes of cannabis in his possession for the purpose of trafficking at the Bartica Police Station on September 12.

Prosecutor Kevin London stated that on the day in question a policeman was on patrol duty in front of the Bartica Police Station when he observed a truck in the area.

London said the policeman stopped the truck to conduct a routine search and discovered a green haversack with the cannabis sativa in it.

The prosecutor stated that the bag belonged to Garnett, who was then arrested and later charged.

However, Garnett stated the charge was brought against him as a vindictive act by the arresting officer.

He explained that he and the arresting officer, who had been previously stationed at Port Kaituma Police Station, had a problem prior to the incident and the officer had promised to see him go to jail.

The defendant further stated that he and six others were in the truck when the cannabis was found but he was the only one charged.

He said he did not know anything about the cannabis.

The magistrate subsequently ordered that Garnett be remanded to prison and that the case be transferred to the Bartica Magistrate’s Court for September 30.