‘I guilty but not for cocaine’

Accused of cocaine possession after a search of his home, a pork-knocker yesterday told a court that he was charged for the wrong drug.

“I guilty but not for cocaine. I does smoke marijuana,” Marlon Chase told Magistrate Zamilla Ally, when she asked if he was guilty.

Chase was charged with having 2 grammes of cocaine for trafficking. The minimum sentence for possession of any amount of cocaine is three years.

Chase, who resides at 509 ‘D’ Field, Sophia, told the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court that a policeman went into his home on January 12 and conducted a search. Chase said the officer found marijuana in a brown bag and asked him what it was.

“I tell the officer this is what I does smoke,” he recounted.

The man also told the court that he was sentenced before after a court found him guilty of trafficking marijuana.

Prosecutor John Singh objected to bail based on the seriousness and prevalence of the offence and because Chase was previously convicted and continue to disregard the law. The prosecutor said if granted bail, Chase might go back into the interior. As a result, Chase was remanded to prison until January 17, when the case will be called again.