U.S citizen gets $60k bail on drug trafficking charge 

Daniel Islam, a 21-year-old United States of America citizen who resides at Enmore/Foulis, East Coast Demerara, was granted $60,000 bail on Monday for trafficking cannabis.

Islam appeared before Magistrate Rhondell Weever at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Particulars of the charge alleged that on November 24, at Camp Street, Georgetown, he had 132 grams of cannabis in his possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Islam, employed by an East Coast Demerara bakery, denied the charge.

His attorney, Siand Dhurjon, stated that the Police, during a sting operation, intercepted a vehicle  Islam and two others were traveling in.

The attorney argued that the drug was found hidden in a bag on a mat in the vehicle’s front passenger seat.

He pointed out to the Court that Islam does not own the vehicle and was seated at the back.

He further contended that the men attempted to sell the marijuana to his client.

He highlighted that Islam, a frequent visitor to Guyana, was in the process of applying for local status.

The defence pledged that Islam would comply with any bail conditions, including surrendering his US passport and reporting to the local Police.

The prosecutor strongly opposed bail, citing flight risk due to Islam’s US citizenship. However, the objection was overruled as it was revealed that Islam’s parents are both Guyanese.

Islam was granted $60,000 bail with conditions: he must lodge his US passport with the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts’ Clerk of Court and report to the Criminal Investigation Department Headquarters on Vlissengen Road in Georgetown once every two weeks.

Failure to comply will result in bail revocation.

Magistrate Weever adjourned the case until December 18, 2023.