Taxi driver remanded for trafficking narcotics

A taxi driver was on Friday remanded to prison after being charged with possession of 41.667 pounds of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

Micheal Pollydore, 41, of ‘B’ Field Sophia, East Coast Demerara, appeared before Magistrate Sheveen Lalaram at the Weldaad Magistrates’ Court.

The charge alleges that on December 2, 2025, he was found with 18.90 kilogrammes of cannabis at Seafield Village, West Coast Berbice.

Pollydore, who is represented by Attorney Joel Edmond, pleaded not guilty.

During the bail hearing, Edmond explained that his client had received a call from a passenger to arrange a trip to Berbice. He said the passenger took Pollydore to three locations, including New Amsterdam, where items were collected and dropped off.

While at Seafield Village, the passenger reportedly told Pollydore that police were pursuing them, prompting him to ask the driver to pull over.

According to the lawyer, the passenger exited the car while Pollydore remained inside. Later, Pollydore left the vehicle, went to the Weldaad Police Station, and reported what had happened. Police then took him back to the car, searched the vehicle, and later transported it to the station.

Edmond said his client assisted the police by showing them where the passenger had gone, but that person managed to evade capture.

In his closing remarks, Edmond noted that Pollydore was willing to comply with any reporting conditions if granted bail.

However, Police Prosecutor Sergeant Garfield Edwards strongly opposed bail, arguing that Pollydore was fully aware of the reason for going to Berbice and knew what he was transporting to Georgetown.

Edwards said that based on police intelligence, officers had tracked both Pollydore and his passenger. He told the court that the car was abandoned on a street in Seafield Village and that Pollydore later boarded a Route 50 minibus to Georgetown.

The prosecutor said police intercepted the minibus and contacted the defendant, during which they found the car keys in his possession.

Officers then escorted him to where the car had been left. In his presence, the vehicle was opened and the suspected narcotics were found in the trunk.

Edwards stressed the seriousness of the charge and noted that the analyst’s certificate was still pending.

After hearing arguments from both sides, Magistrate Lalaram refused bail and remanded Pollydore to prison.

He is scheduled to return to court on December 19 for further proceedings.