Playwright handed fine, community service over ganja

Magistrate Ann Mc Lennan yesterday fined 59-year-old Leon Saul, President of the Guyana Rastafarian Council $20,000 for possession of cannabis and ordered him to undergo 4 weeks community service at the Brickdam Police Station.

According to Prosecutor Bharrat Mangru, yesterday at Lot 1 Smyth and D’Urban streets, the defendant’s home, a search was conducted by police leading to the discovery of 2.3 grammes of cannabis on a bed.

The prosecutor further stated that when the defendant was confronted with the allegations, he admitted that he was knowledgeable of the drug being in his home and stated that it was for his personal use.

Attorney Paul Fung-a-Fat asked for leniency on his client’s behalf, stating that the defendant was a senior officer at RK Security, a married man and a father of 11 children, who is currently working on a play in the county of Berbice.

Bail was set at $20,000 and the defendant who pleaded guilty to the charge was ordered to complete 4 weeks community service, which he is required to attend every Friday or an alternative of 6 months of imprisonment.