Grove man had 77 grammes cocaine

A man who was allegedly found with 77 grammes of cocaine on his person was on Monday refused bail by Acting Chief Magistrate Cecil Sullivan at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court.

Johnny Barnwell, age 22, of Grove, East Bank Demerara pleaded not guilty to the charge of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

It is alleged that on January 20 at Grove he had 77 grammes of cocaine in his possession for trafficking. According to reports, the police who were on patrol duty noticed Barnwell acting suspiciously in his yard. He was searched and the drugs were reportedly found on his person.

Attorney-at-law Hukumchand represented Barnwell. He told the court that Barnwell was standing in a yard when a man threw something. He added that notwithstanding Section 94, bail can be granted in a narcotics case.

However, Police Prosecutor Sherwin Matthews asked that bail be refused.

Barnwell’s case was transferred to the Providence Magistrate’s Court for January 26.