Surinamese caught with 103 ecstasy pills charged, remanded to prison

A Surinamese national was on Friday remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan for allegedly being in possession of 103 ecstasy pills.

Donovan Saimon, 32, appeared at Georgetown Magistrate’s Court and pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him.

Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) Prosecutor Narissa Leander told the court that on March 18, 2019, CANU ranks, acting on a tip-off, stopped a vehicle Saimon was in at the Canawaima Ferry Crossing.

The vehicle was searched and the pills, which altogether weighed 32 grammes, were found stashed in the glove compartment wrapped in a cloth.

The Prosecutor explained that when the allegation was put to Saimon by the CANU ranks, he admitted ownership of the drugs and stated that the pills were for his personal use.

Leander was opposed to bail being granted to Saimon based on the prevalence of such offences and also due to the fact that he’s not a Guyanese and poses a flight risk.

The Chief Magistrate ruled in the prosecution’s favour and remanded Saimon to prison. The matter was transferred to the Springlands Magistrate’s Court for April 8, 2019.