Taxi driver denies tossing bag with marijuana from car

A 33-year-old taxi driver of Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara (ECD), who tried to evade Police ranks on Thursday last after tossing a bag containing 47 grammes of marijuana through his vehicle window was Friday charged and granted bail in the sum of $100, 000.

Earlson Murray was charged with Possession of Narcotics for the purpose of Trafficking when he appeared at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Liverpool.

He pleaded not guilty. The matter was adjourned to September 13, 2023 for statements.

According to a Police report, the ranks were in the Beterverwagting area when they observed a Toyota Premio car bearing registration number, HD 740 driving out of a known drug yard.

As a result, the ranks signalled the driver, Earlson Murray to stop but he refused and drove away.

“The Police patrol vehicle pursued him, and the ranks saw the driver throw out a black plastic from the driver’s window. The ranks stopped and picked up the black plastic bag, checked and observed the bag contained a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis,” the Police said.

The patrol proceeded behind the car but Murray continued to evade the police until he was cornered.

“The vehicle came to a halt when the driver crashed his motor car into the Police vehicle,” the statement added.

Due to the incident, minor damage was seen to the front door of the force vehicle as well as the front of Murray’s car.

A search was carried out on the vehicle but nothing illegal was found.

Murray was told of the offences committed, cautioned and arrested.

He was escorted to the Beterverwagting Police Station, where the narcotic was weighed in his presence and amounted to 47 grammes.

Murray was placed in custody pending charges.