Moblissa man slapped with drug trafficking charge

Fifty-three-year old Michael Melville appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on Tuesday charged with having 1,113 grams (almost 3 lbs) of cannabis in his possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Melville of Moblissa Linden/Soesdyke Highway denied the allegation which stated that the incident occurred on December 7, 2019.

The court heard that Police visited his house after they received a tip and found Melville there with another man.

The ranks conducted a search but did not find any narcotics inside the house, however, a search of the yard found the cannabis hidden under a sheet of zinc and concealed in a black plastic bag and a green backpack.

The court heard that Melville’s friend escaped when the drugs were found.

Melville, on the other hand, told the court that he works on a cattle ranch and spends weeks away from his house.

He claimed to have no knowledge of the drugs and accused his neighbour in the bottom flat of the house of trafficking the drugs.

Melville was released on $200,000 bail with the condition that he reports to the Amelia’s Ward Police Station every Friday. His case was transferred to the Linden Magistrate’s Court for January 16, 2020.