A 32-year-old fisherman who was allegedly found in a boat that had a quantity of ganja in the bow was remanded to prison when he appeared at the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
David Beaton of Patentia, West Bank Demerara (WBD) pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking but after hearing his explanation Magistrate Fazil Azeez entered a plea of not guilty and remanded him to prison.
It is alleged that last Friday at WBD, Beaton had in his possession 56 grammes of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.
Police Prosecutor Ramsahoye Rambajue told the court that police were patrolling the Demerara River when the defendant and two other men were seen in a boat. He said that upon noticing the police the two other men jumped out of the boat and escaped. A search was carried out on the boat in the presence of the defendant and a black plastic bag with the drug was reportedly found in the bow. Beaton was arrested and later charged.
In his explanation to the court, Beaton said that he had gone to visit his uncle upriver and saw the two persons in the boat and “beg them for a passage to come down.” He said that he did not deal with drugs and denied owning the bag. He said that he had only begged the men for a drop and had assisted the police with their investigations.
The court was told that the police were still investigating the matter. After listening to the explanation, the magistrate informed Beaton that he would be entering a plea of not guilty for him and remanded him. The magistrate also transferred the matter to the Wales Magistrate’s Court for January 24.
