Minibus conductor on cocaine and ganja charges remanded

A 23-year-old minibus conductor was on Monday refused bail by acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry after he appeared on charges of narcotics possession and trafficking.

The first charge against Permanand Persaud is that on March 25 at 115 First Street, Montrose, he had in his possession 36 grammes of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, while the second charge read that on the same day he had 7 grammes of cannabis.

According to the facts as presented by Special Customs  Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) Prosecutor Oswald Massiah, on the day in question, CANU officers, acting on information given, visited the defendant’s premises. Massiah explained that some officers went into the yard while others stayed posted outside. Massiah said that as they approached the house, they saw the defendant on the stairs with a black bag in his hand. One of the officers took the bag from the defendant and found the prohibited substances inside.

George Thomas, standing in for Persaud’s attorney Vic Pooran who was absent, made an application for bail, citing that this was a first time allegation and the defendant posed no flight risk.

However, bail was refused and the matter transferred to the Sparendaam Magistrates’ Court for April 7.