Venezuelan remanded on ganja trafficking charge

A 29-year-old Venezuelan National was on Monday remanded to prison by the Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on a drug trafficking charge.

Franklin Gonsalves, a miner, was charged for having 1000 grams of cannabis in his possession on July 9, 2018 at Kaikan Village, Cuyuni River.

With the aid of an interpreter, he pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield told the court that the police, on the day in question, stopped and searched Gonsalves, who was seen acting in a suspicious matter.

Mansfield added that the suspected drug was found in Gonsalves haversack in a transparent bowl.

The Prosecutor objected to the foreign national being released on bail since Gonsalves had no ties to the Guyana.

The Chief Magistrate remanded Gonsalves to prison and adjourned the matter until September 17 when the matter will come up at the Kamarang Magistrates Court.