3 years jail, $57,000 fine for trafficking cannabis

A 39-year-old Landscaper of Block “E” Sophia, Greater Georgetown, was on Thursday (November 02, 2017) sentenced to three years jail and fined $57,000 for trafficking cannabis which he claimed was for medical purposes.

Kenneth Bovell appeared before Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan and confessed to the charge. The court heard that on November 1, 2017 at Lama Avenue, he had 38 grams of cannabis in his possession for the purpose of trafficking.

According to reports, on the day in question about 18:05hrs, ranks of the Guyana Police Force intercepted Bovell at Lama Avenue, Georgetown and conducted a search on him.

It was discovered that he was carrying a black plastic bag in which 35 small zip loc parcels of suspected cannabis were found.

The unrepresented man told the court that he purchased the items to boil and make tea for his nephew who suffers from asthma and is currently hospitalized.

The Magistrate, after considering Bovell’s early guilty plea, sentenced him to three years in prison and ordered him to pay a fine of $57,000, which is three times the market value of the drugs.