$215.1M fine, $2M bail for men found with millions worth of marijuana

Massiah Durant, 52, one of three men who were found with 1, 580 pounds (717 kg) of marijuana valued over $79 million, was fined $215.1 million and sentenced to 50 months imprisonment.

Durant along with Shawn Lindie Snr, 44, and 29-year-old Shawn Lindie Jnr., appeared before Magistrate Wanda Fortune at the Linden Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

Lindie Snr and Jnr were granted bail of $2 million each. They pleaded not guilty to the charge and were represented by Attorney Dhurjon, while Durant pleaded guilty and was represented by Attorney Griffith.

The News Room understands that investigations into the massive drug bust are continuing.

A joint operation by the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) and the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard resulted in the seizure of the illegal drug on Saturday.

The operation was conducted at De Veldt, Upper Berbice River, on Saturday during which the three men were arrested.

CANU, in a statement, said that a building occupied by several miners was searched during which the marijuana was discovered in several parcels.

CANU revealed that the cannabis seized is believed to have been intended for transshipment to another territory.