Mocha businessman nabbed with ganja, cocaine

Paul Battersfield, a 48-year-old businessman of Mocha Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara (EBD), was nabbed with 1,989 grammes (or about 4.4 pounds) of marijuana.

He was also caught with 82 grammes (or about 0.18 pounds) of cocaine.

Police Headquarters reported that the man was caught at the Police checkpoint at Mabura while he was a passenger in a blue Toyota Hilux (#GZZ 9658). Ashman Scott, a 50-year-old gold miner, was the driver while Dexter Atkinson, a 39-year-old gold miner, was the other passenger.

Police said when the driver went into the Police Outpost at the checkpoint, Battersfield acted suspiciously. He subsequently told ranks that a freezer in the vehicle’s tray belonged to him.

A rank reportedly asked Battersfield what was in the freezer and he said his belongings. The rank then told him to take out his belongings and in doing so, Battersfield handed a bulky plastic bag to the rank which, when opened, contained five parcels of leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be marijuana.

Another parcel found contained a quantity of a whitish powdery substance suspected to be cocaine.

Battersfield was told of the offence committed and cautioned; he admitted ownership of the narcotics.

The man was then arrested and escorted into the Mabura Police Outpost along with the narcotics.

The suspect was subsequently escorted to the Mackenzie Police Station where the narcotics were weighed in his presence.

The narcotics were sealed, marked, and lodged. Battersfield was placed in custody pending charges. Investigations are ongoing.