Truck driver freed of marijuana charge after trial

Reaaz Bacchus, a 41-year-old truck driver was on Thursday freed of a narcotics trafficking charge after the court found there was insufficient evidence to convict him.

The case was heard before Magistrate Dylon Bess at the Diamond Magistrate’s Court.

Bacchus, a resident of New Amsterdam, Berbice was represented by attorney Bernard Da Silva.

During the trial, the court ruled against a no-case submission made by DaSilva.

As such, Bacchus was called upon to lead the defence.

However, after further submissions were made, the magistrate found that the evidence did not support a conviction. Bacchus was therefore found not guilty and discharged.

Bacchus was charged on July 9, 2024, with trafficking 9.25 kilograms of marijuana, allegedly concealed in two bulky shopping bags inside a toolbox under the truck he was driving.

He denied the allegation and was placed on $2.7 million bail. The charge stemmed from a July 5 arrest when police intercepted Bacchus’ truck along the Bagotstown Public Road, East Bank Demerara.

During the search, the suspected marijuana was discovered, and Bacchus reportedly told ranks that a “Rastaman” had given him the bags to deliver “over the west side.”