Mason on drug trafficking charge after 7lb ganja bust

A mason is now a remanded prisoner after he was charged yesterday with having over seven pounds of cannabis in his possession.

The charge read to Raymond Vankenie stated that on April 19, at New Amsterdam, Berbice, he had 3.432 kilogrammes (equivalent to 7.5 pounds) of cannabis for trafficking in his possession.

Vankenie, 40, denied the charge after it was read to him by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in Georgetown.

Raymond Vankenie

Attorney Paul Fung-A-Fat told the court that the cannabis was found in the vehicle that Vankenie had borrowed and he had no knowledge of it.

He requested the earliest date for the commencement of trial.

The prosecutor told the court that the file was incomplete.

Chief Magistrate McLennan remanded Vankenie and adjourned the case until May 8, when it will be called at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court.