Moco Moco duo remanded for ganja cultivation, possession

An ex-convict and another man were yesterday brought before the Chief Magistrate who read charges of cannabis cultivation, and the possession of almost five pounds of cannabis.

Gregory Gregorius and Amos Hendricks, both labourers, were first read a charge which alleged that on March 21, at Moco Moco Mountain, Central Rupununi, they cultivated a prohibited plant, that is to say cannabis.

The two men are also alleged to have had in their possession 2.230 kilogrammes of cannabis.

A not guilty plea was entered by the defendants for both allegations.

The prosecutor stated that the defendants were in a camp which was at the centre of a cannabis farm, with plants about 69 inches in height. Ranks searched the area and found, in a bucket, leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be cannabis. The court heard that Amos was arrested and charged on September 20, 2012 for being in possession of 68 grammes of cannabis.

Amos, who was caught in Moco Moco, was tried, found guilty and sentenced to four years in jail.

Attorney Jerome Khan told a different story, citing that the police, while investigating a murder, found a hut and an acre of suspected cannabis plants. The attorney told the court that the plot of land is owned by another individual, whose name the police were made aware of, but are yet to locate.

He added that his clients weren’t found in the farm or in the process of cultivating anything, adding that no cannabis was found on the defendants. He then made a request for his clients to be released on reasonable bail.

The attorney’s request was denied by the Chief Magistrate and the defendants remanded to prison.

June 6 is the next date when the matter will be heard at the Lethem Magistrate’s court. A housekeeper was yesterday granted bail after she was accused of stealing over $400,000 in items and cash.

36-year-old Shabana Asgar is accused of stealing from the dwelling house of Luana Falconer, on March 20, at Lot 199, Duncan Street, Lamaha Gardens, a quantity of gold jewellery valued at $193,000, $108,000 in cash, a quantity of silver jewellery valued at $51,000, and other items. The stolen articles amounted to a value of $413,000.

After the charge was read by Magistrate Fabayo Azore, Asgar, of 145 Lusignan, pleaded not guilty to the offence.

There was no objection made to bail by the prosecutor, who also noted that the file is incomplete.

The Magistrate later granted the defendant $50,000 bail and adjourned the matter to April 12.