South Ruimveldt construction worker remanded over ganja

Mark McLean
Mark McLean

A construction worker who was charged with cultivating and trafficking cannabis, was denied bail yesterday after appearing before a city court.

Mark McLean denied both charges read by Magistrate Faith McGusty, which allege that on February 28, at Toucan Drive, South Ruimveldt, he had in his possession 200.11 grammes of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking, and that on March 11 at Toucan Drive, South Ruimveldt, he cultivated a cannabis plant, which he knew to be prohibited.

According to Prosecutor Seon Blackman, on February 28, police officers conducted a search at McLean’s house and on the stairway leading to his second floor apartment, they found the cannabis in a black plastic bag, on a music speaker.

In relation to the cultivation of the cannabis plant, the court learned that it was found in the yard.

McLean’s attorney, George Thomas, argued that there were multiple occupants in the house and it could have belonged to anyone. Additionally, he noted that the police did not find him tending to the plants.

Blackman then told the courtroom that the police were told by a witness that when he (McLean) smoked a joint, he threw the seeds in the yard and when he saw it growing, he started tending to the plant. He further related that there was an oral statement from McLean admitting to the two charges.

McLean was subsequently remanded to jail and the next scheduled date for his appearance in court is March 27, 2019.