DPP denies Opposition Leader’s claim of political interference in narco-trafficking case against PPP councillor

Last Updated on Friday, 10 April 2026, 17:37 by Denis Chabrol

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Hack on Friday condemned Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed for deliberately disseminating false, misleading and damaging information about a narco-trafficking case against a People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) neighbourhood councillor.

Contrary to claims of political interference in her work, the DPP said Ms Ronita Stuart Ram,41, and three other persons were charged last month with possession of 114.3 pounds of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking. The woman is a PPPC councillor for the Haslington-Grove Neighbourhood Council.

“The DPP wishes to state that all legal advice given by the DPP’s Office is based on the evidence contained in police files from police investigations, the relevant law thereto and the Code for Prosecutors,” the DPP said in a statement.

She and Ranjeev Ram, Maikhram Ram and Savitri Ram allegedly committed the offence on November 29, 2925 at Lot 20 Section ‘C’ Clonbrook, East Coast Demerara.

The DPP said after investigations, “based on the  evidence contained in the police file” and the law advised police to charge them with  possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

According to Ms Hack, they were charged on March 4, 2026 and appeared before Magistrate Orinthia Schmidt at the Cove & John Magistrates’ Court.

After they pleaded not guilty, the DPP said the magistrate granted them GY$1 million bail each.