Guyana Power and Light employee gets heavy fine, jail term for marijuana possession

Last Updated on Friday, 7 April 2017, 17:12 by Denis Chabrol

A Guyana Power and Light (GPL) employee was Friday jailed for three years and fined GYD$4.7 million after he pleaded guilty to being in possession of 3 kilogrammes, 143 grammes of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.

Quaison Murray, 34, was convicted by Magistrate Leron Daly, two days after police arrested him at the Square of the Revolution with the marijuana in a car. When the sentence was announced, Murray and several of his relatives in the courtroom wept openly.

Murray, a father of four, begged the court for leniency and said he decided to take a chance because he was experiencing financial difficulties. Murray said he works at the Guyana Power and Light company.

The Magistrate, however, told Murray that he is sensible and must be punished for the offence.

Police Prosecutor, Bharrat Mangru told the court that police got a tip-off and went to the Square of the Revolution and searched the car that Murray was seated in. Mangru said the marijuana was found in a haversack.