Berbice snow cone vendor remanded for trafficking ganja

A snow cone vendor was remanded to prison following charges of trafficking 262 grams of cannabis.

Claud Cole, 59, of Lot 17 Belladrum Village, West Coast Berbice, appeared before Magistrate Ravindra Mohabir at the Fort Wellington Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

During the court hearing, the prosecution opposed bail and Magistrate Mohabir upheld this request, resulting in Cole’s remand to prison.

He is scheduled to appear in court again on June 27, with the case having been transferred to the Weldaad Magistrate’s Court for further reporting.

The incident unfolded on June 8, 2025, at approximately 08:55 hours when law enforcement was conducting a roadblock on the Weldaad Public Road, West Coast Berbice. During the operation, they stopped minibus # BSS 843, where Cole was found seated in the rear passenger seat holding a black plastic bag.

Upon request from the officers, Cole consented to a search of the bag. Upon inspection in the presence of the officer, it was revealed to contain leaves, seeds, and stems that tested positive for cannabis.

Cole was promptly informed of his offense, arrested, and cautioned. He was taken to Weldaad Police Station, where the narcotic was weighed, confirming it to be 262 grams.

Samples were collected, and the narcotics was officially logged with the station sergeant at the Weldaad Police Station.