Tractor driver charged with marijuana possession

Last Updated on Friday, 30 September 2016, 16:51 by Denis Chabrol

Glenroy Parris

Glendon Parris was on Friday charged with the possession of 369 grams of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.

The charge against the accused is that on September 28, 2016, at Itaballi Landing Mazaruni River, he had the 369 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

Parris, who was represented by attorneys at law Simone Ramlall and Latchmie Rahamat, pleaded not guilty to the charge. In his defense, Rahamat stated that the 31-year-old was on the day in question instructed by his employer to drive the tractor to Puruni. She continued that upon his arrival the tractor had already been packed. The Court heard that Parris and a colleague set off for Puruni and on the way they stopped twice- first at Linden and then at Rockstone.

Between the two stops the defendant also picked up a third party who was also heading to Puruni. Rahamat further stated that at the Itabali landing checkpoint, the accused and the two others were searched and nothing was found on their person. However, when the checkpoint officials searched the tractor they found the suspected drugs under the driver’s seat.

The three men were detained by police, Rahamat said, despite Parris’ denying knowledge of the package. Parris had also told the police that the other two accused were left alone in the vehicle while he went to get refreshments at one point.

At the Bartica Police Station, the other two accused were freed and Parris remained in custody since, according to Rahamat, the police said he was the driver of the vehicle and the narcotics were found under his seat.

The lawyer requested bail for the father of two.

Police Prosecutor Deniro however objected to bail, on the grounds that the address of accused differs from the one given to police. To this, Rahamat explained to Chief Magistrate Ann Mc Lennan that the address given to the police is the family home of the accused but he resides at the address stated in Court.

The Magistrate obliged the prosecution by denying bail and the matter has been transferred to Bartica Magistrates Court for October 13.