Accused ganja trafficker says police planted the drugs

A 38-year-old Albouystown man who was allegedly found with a quantity of cannabis in his possession was remanded to prison yesterday when he appeared before Magistrate Melissa Robertson-Ogle at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court.

Troy Barclay of Lot 32 Albouy Street, Albouystown, pleaded not guilty to the charge of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

It is alleged that on September 29 at Barclay’s Albouystown home, thirty-six grammes of cannabis were found in his possession for the purpose of trafficking.
However Barclay stated that he had been released from prison on parole eighteen months ago after spending fourteen years for another charge. Barclay said, “well ya honour, since I come outta prison dem get some people in front meh house selling drugs.” He said that he made several reports to the police station about the matter “and a day I run to the police van and tell dem a man running me with a gun but dem sey that they aint going an look fuh nobody.” He stated that on the day in question he had just returned home when seven police officers came to his house to conduct a search but after it proved futile, one of the officers left but returned sometime later with something in his hand.

Barclay further stated that the same officer then informed him that the narcotics were found in the house.

Barclay’s lawyer applied for bail stating that under such suspicious circumstances it should be granted.

The prosecution objected to bail on the grounds that the narcotics were found on Barclay when the police officers searched him.

Magistrate Robertson-Ogle then refused Barclay’s lawyer bail application and ordered that the accused be remanded to prison. Barclay is to return to court on October 8.