$1m bail for 2 on weed-trafficking charge

TWO MEN have been granted $1 million bail on a charge of trafficking 20 kilos of marijuana.

They appeared before magistrate Alicia Chankar in the San Fernando Magistrates Court after being arrested in Golconda village, on the outskirts of San Fernando, on Friday. They are Isiah Sawyer, 24, of Cali Bay, and Shevas Wallace, 23, of La Lune.

Attorney Taradath Singh, who appeared for the men, told Chankar Sawyer was a sailor on a boat known as Water Lily. Wallace is a construction worker, he said.

The trafficking charge stemmed from police on routine patrol stopping and searching a vehicle in Golconda on Friday afternoon.

The marijuana was brought into the courtroom in a blue plastic barrel which was filled with 36 packets. They were emptied and placed on the bar table.

Police prosecutor Cleyon Seedan said the street value was estimated at approximately $270,000. However, he did not object to bail being granted to the men. Cpl Davis laid the charge.

Chankar said owing to the large quantity and the street value, bail for the accused would be $1 million each, which must be approved by the clerk of the peace. They are to return to court on March 11.