Five charged over Essequibo drug bust

Five persons, including a mother of two, were yesterday charged after the discovery of almost four kilos of cocaine and cannabis by police at a house at Perseverance, Essequibo Coast over the weekend.

Lorna Scott, 42; Gordon Williams, 52; Marlon Scott, Damyone George, 34 and Dennis Mohabir, 50, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on a charge that on October 17, at Perseverance, Essequibo Coast, they had in their possession 3.840 kilogrammes of cocaine for trafficking.

20151020Gordon Williams

Damyone George
Damyone George

They were also charged with having 13.5 grammes of cannabis and an additional 23 grammes of the same narcotic for trafficking, also on the same day at Perseverance.

 Lorna Scott
Lorna Scott

Police say US$4,010 ($830,000) and $258,800 were also seized during the search.

 Marlon Scott
Marlon Scott

According to the police’s case, acting on information received and surveillance conducted, ranks from the CID Headquarters went to Lot 12 Perseverance, where a search was conducted and the drugs were discovered.

Dennis Mohabir
Dennis Mohabir

The court was told that the cocaine was observed in plain sight on a coffee table, while the 13.5 grammes of cannabis were found in Marlon Scott’s possession. It was also told that the other 23 grammes were discovered under a pillow which was on the bed belonging to Williams and Lorna Scott. All five defendants were said to be present in the house during the search.

Attorneys Glenn Hanoman and Mark Waldron made bail applications for their clients, Williams and Lorna Scott, respectively. They said it was a case of “multiple occupancy,” since their clients were in a house that was occupied by several other persons. They further said no drugs were found in their clients’ possession.

However, police prosecutor Deniro Jones objected to bail while noting that no special reasons were presented to the court for bail to be granted.

Magistrate McLennan agreed that no special reasons were presented. As a result, all five accused were remanded to jail until October 29, when the matter will be called at the Suddie Magistrate’s Court.