Two men had ganja, cocaine going into interior -court told

Magistrate Melissa Robert-son-Ogle yesterday remanded two men who appeared at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court accused of having cannabis and cocaine while going into the interior.

The two men were allegedly found with cannabis and cocaine in their bags while going through routine checks at the Bartica Police Station.

Travis De Souza, who celebrated his 24th birthday yesterday, and who resides at 13 Section C Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara and Shelton Scipio, 37, of 655 Block 22 One Mile Extension, Linden pleaded not guilty to the possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court.

It is alleged that on January 5 at Bartica Police Station De Souza had 254 grammes of cannabis and Scipio on January 6 allegedly had 242 grammes of cannabis and 340 grammes of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

Attorney-at-law Frank Fraser who represented both men told the court that De Souza along with thirteen other passengers went to the station with their baggage to report. He stated that the police brought a small black bag containing a substance and his client denied knowing about it but he was still charged. He stated that Scipio was a businessman who operates a shop.

Police prosecutor Sherwin Matthews who objected to bail stated that De Souza and others were travelling into the interior. Those persons who were travelling into the interior had to book their names and have their bags checked and it was during this time the police searched De Souza’s bag and found the cannabis.

De Souza and Scipio were remanded and their case was transferred to the Bartica Magistrate’s Court for January 23.