Mother and daughter jailed over ganja

A 38-year-old woman and her 18-year-old daughter were yesterday sentenced to prison after they were found guilty of the possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

Melinda Mc Garrell and Lashaun Henry both of Queenstown, Essequibo Coast were charged on October 17, 2013 with having 26 grammes of cannabis in their possession.

According to the facts, the police, acting on information, went to the home of the women and conducted a search. Nothing was found, but as the police were leaving, Mc Garrell allegedly ran and gave a container which was in the yard to her daughter. The daughter then started to run but was caught by the police.

The container had a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems which when weighed amounted to 26 grammes. They were both arrested and charged.

On their first appearance in court, the women had both pleaded not guilty and bail was refused but they were later granted bail in the High Court.

Mc Garrell and Henry were both represented by Attorney Melvin Duke.

Sitting at the Suddie Magistrate’s Court, Magistrate Sunil Scarce yesterday found the women guilty and they were both fined $30,000 and handed prison terms of 3 years each.