Handyman gets bail on ganja trafficking charge

A handyman who was allegedly found with a quantity of cannabis in his possession was placed on $25,000 bail yesterday when he appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court.

Gregory Howes, 38, of 233 East Ruimveldt, pleaded not guilty to the charge of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

It is alleged that on September 26 in Georgetown, Howes had in his possession eight grammes of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

However, Howes stated that on the day in question, he was in a minibus travelling to Stabroek Market when police officers stopped the bus and “tell me that I charge for possession of weed.”

He went on to say that he had been falsely accused for other offences and locked up several times for the year by the same police officers.

Magistrate Robertson then granted Howes bail in the sum of $25,000 and transferred his case to Court Five for October 20.