Man held in Gateroy ganja raid

One man was arrested following a ganja eradication operation undertaken by the police yesterday at Gateroy, Upper Berbice River.

According to a release from the police, during the operation four fields of cannabis sativa (marijuana) plants, about eight acres in size, with approximately 15,000 plants ranging in height between 2 feet and 6 feet were found and destroyed.

In addition, five nurseries containing about 35,000 seedlings, 300 pounds of dried marijuana and two camps were found and destroyed.

A brush cutter and a chain saw were also seized by the police during the operation.

Commander of ‘B’ Division, Steve Merai told Stabroek News that the operations in the Berbice River resumed after a short break due to the inclement weather and said it would be ongoing.

He said they decided to raid the farms again after a Rosignol, West Berbice resident, Ramal Madray was caught with 251 pounds of compressed marijuana while driving along the Profit road in the vicinity of the Abary Bridge.

Madray was charged with the offence at the Blairmont Court and Magistrate Nigel Hawke remanded him to prison until June 10.