Linden man remanded over ganja charge

A Linden man was yesterday remanded to prison, after he was charged with possession of narcotics in a West Berbice Court.

Roger English, 51, of Wismar Squatting Area appeared before Magistrate Rhondell Weaver in the Fort Wellington Magistrate’s Court and pleaded not guilty to the charge.

English is accused of being in possession of 5 kilogrammess of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking on Sunday.

After the charge was read, Police Prosecutor Sergeant Prosecutor Althea Solomon objected to bail on the grounds of the prevalence of the offence committed in the West Berbice district. Solomon argued further, that according to statute unless special reason was provided, bail cannot be granted. She argued too that the accused was recently freed on a charge similar in nature.

Magistrate Weaver upheld the objection and English was remanded until March 3. Stabroek News understands that English was a passenger in a Sheriff Taxi Service cab when it was stopped for a routine check at a road block in front of the Fort Wellington Police Station around 3 pm. Police found bags with cannabis in the trunk of the car.

Police had said in a press release that three men who were in the vehicle were taken into custody to assist with investigations. English was later charged.