$75,000 bail for Turkeyen man charged with possession

Magistrate Sueanna Lovell granted $75,000 bail to a 19-year-old man charged with possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking, when he on Friday appeared in court.

It is alleged that on March 20, at Georgetown, Kwame Harding had in his possession 11 grammes of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

Harding pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

In relating the facts of the matter, Police Corporal Denise Booker told the court that on the day in question, around 3pm, police on patrol near Smyth Street noticed Harding driving a Nissan motor car without a number plate and stopped him.

They searched the car and found nothing. The officers then searched Harding and 10 Ziploc bags containing a substance suspected to be cannabis were found in one of his pockets. Harding was arrested and told of the offence.

Harding’s lawyer Paul Fung-a-Fat applied for bail stating that his client poses no flight risk as he resides at Turkeyen; he is currently a student at the Government Technical Institute and has no antecedents.

Counsel asked that his client be granted bail in a reasonable sum since he is at the tender age of 19. He further told the court that his client is willing to comply with any conditions the court requests.
However, the magistrate denied Harding bail.

Fung-a-Fat further pleaded with the court for bail for his client stating that Harding was willing to lodge his passport and report to the police station as the court directs.

Harding was then released on bail along with the conditions that he lodges his passport with the police and report to the Ruimveldt Police Station every Monday and Friday at 9am.
He was ordered to appear in court on May 7.