Manella Ramkarran, Shane Ramkin, Marlon Braithwaite and Kenan Collymore pleaded not guilty to the charge that on April 2 at Third Avenue, Bartica, they had the narcotics in their possession for the purpose of trafficking.
Magistrate Hazel Octive-Hamilton refused bail and the matter was transferred to the Bartica Magistrates’ Court for April 14.
Ramkarran and Ramkin were subsequently charged before acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson with attempting to obstruct the course of justice. It is alleged that on April 2 at Bartica, they attempted to wilfully obstruct the course of justice by giving Police Detective Constable Devon Lowe the sum of $200,000 so that he would not prosecute them for narcotics possession. They pleaded not guilty.
Attorney Peter Hugh asked for reasonable bail since the defendants have a fixed abode and are not flight risks.
Meanwhile, Police Prosecutor Stephen Telford did not object to bail but opined that it should be granted in a substantial amount. He also noted that the actions of Constable Lowe should be commended.
He said that on the day in question, Lowe and other police went to the home of Ramkarran, where Ramkin was present, and conducted a search for narcotics. During the search, the cannabis was found and the duo arrested. Afterward, they offered to pay Lowe to avoid prosecution but he refused.
