$2.5M fine, 4 years jail for prisoner caught with 6.6lbs ganja

A 39-year-old inmate of the Mazaruni Prison was charged and fined $2.5 million on Monday for the possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

John Caesar appeared before Magistrate Crystal Lambert at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four years imprisonment in addition to the fine being imposed.

Police Headquarters reported that Caesar was caught with 3kg (6.6 pounds) of cannabis in a five-gallon bottle on March 10.

Police said he was walking towards the security block of the prison with the bottle in his hand when a prison officer called out to him but he ignored the officer and continued walking.

When the prison officer caught up with him, Caesar told him that it was water in the bottle.

But after inspecting the contents, it was found to be cannabis, three cell phone chargers, 20 packs cigarettes and a cell phone earpiece.

Caesar was charged with the March 2018 murder of Linden businessman, Romel Edison Gomes, hence his incarceration.

Gomes, 32, was found dead in his Wismar, Linden shop in a pool of blood with his hands bound in front and a bandana tied around his mouth.

Caesar was also charged with the July 2009 attempted murder of Dhanwantie Pulchand who had operated a store in Georgetown.