Tomb builder, labourer planted ganja

Two men were yesterday remanded to prison, and another released on $60,000 bail, after they appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court charged with cultivation and possession of ganja.

Justin Thomas, Ryan Toussaint and Robert Jones, all pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read by acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

According to the first charge, the allegation against Thomas and Toussaint is that on April 5, at Millie’s Hideout Backdam on the Linden-Soesdyke Highway, they cultivated cannabis. The second charge reads that on the same day, they were found with 1.929 kilograms of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking. It is also alleged that on the same day Jones had in his possession 12 grams of cannabis.

Police Prosecutor Stephen Telford told the court in relation to Jones that on the day in question, ranks from the narcotics branch along with ranks from the Timehri Police Station were on a joint eradication exercise when they found the defendant. He said that upon searching Jones, they found the prohibited substance in a black plastic container. The man was then cautioned and taken to the Mackenzie Police Station where the substance was weighed. Jones was subsequently charged.

While Jones, of 123 Third Street, Silvertown, Wismar, Linden was released on $60,000 bail, Thomas- a labourer, and Toussaint- a tomb builder, were both refused bail.
The trio’s matter was transferred to the Christianburg Magistrates’ Court for April 12.