Brazilian pastor among three charged with marijuana trafficking

Last Updated on Tuesday, 31 March 2015, 20:22 by GxMedia

A Brazilian Pastor is among three persons charged with the possession of a large quantity of marijuana while they were leaving the southern Guyanese township of Lethem for neighbouring Brazil.

Chief Magistrate, Priya Sewnarine-Beharry refused them bail and ordered that they be remanded until June 1 when they would appear in the Lethem Magistrates’ Court.

They were refused bail after Police Prosecutor Bharat Mangru told the court that the accused have no ties to Guyana and if granted pre-trial liberty they would flee the jurisdiction.

Pastor Maubey De Souza,52, of Rua Saopeiro Oscar Ferreira, 99 Boa Vista, mason Leonardo Marcio of Rua Saopeiro Pedro  Oscar, 31 Boa Vista and domestic Jessica Perriera,21, of Rua Imperatriz 655, Boa Vista pleaded not guilty to being in possession of 3,300 grammes of marijuana on March 27.

They were arrested at the Multi-Complex, Lethem.

Defence lawyer, Latchmi Rahamat said that while shopping in Lethem they left their vehicle unlocked and saw nothing unusual on returning. However, on returning to Brazil, they were stopped by Guyanese police.

Court documents state that the marijuana leaves and stems were found in four black bags. A quantity of Brazilian currency was found in the vehicle, said police.