Merriman’s food vendor remanded on ganja possession charge

A Merriman’s Mall food vendor was remanded to prison yesterday after a court heard that police found cannabis in his stall.

Bertie Cross, of 77 South Ruimveldt, pleaded not guilty to the charge of possession of cannabis after it was read to him by Magistrate Ann McLennan in a Georgetown court.

The charge against Cross stated that on November 21, at the Merriman’s Mall, he had in his possession 13.4 grammes of cannabis.

His attorney, Mark Waldron, told the court that Cross, who operates a food and beverage stall in the Merriman’s Mall, had never appeared in court. Waldron added that the drug was found in a general area, to which many people have access, and not on his client’s person.

He argued that this fact constituted a special reason for his client to be granted bail and he asked the magistrate to be lenient in considering a sum.

But Prosecutor Deniro Jones objected and stated that police, acting on information, went to the Merriman’s Mall and conducted a search on the Cross’ stall and, in his presence, the cannabis was found.

Bail was subsequently refused and Cross was remanded to prison until December 1, when he will again appear in court.