Troy Van Doimen, of Lot 51 Fifth Avenue, Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), was on Monday afternoon sentenced to four years in prison and fined $16 million after he pleaded guilty to a charge of narcotics trafficking when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.
The 46-year-old man appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, where he admitted that on October 22, he was found to be in possession of 14.61 kilograms (kg) of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.
The prosecution revealed that on the day in question, Police Officers acting on information received, searched the man’s home where several bags containing leaves, seeds and stems were found. The items were weighed and turned out to be 14.61 kg of cannabis.
The discovery of the illegal substance was brought to the defendant’s attention, he was told of the offence and cautioned, at which point he admitted to ownership of the drug.
In court, Doimen told Magistrate McLennan that he did not wish to waste the court’s time and as such, he wanted to plead guilty. However, he did request a minimum sentence.
He also told the Magistrate that the marijuana did not belong to him, but was given to him for safekeeping.
However, the Police revealed that the defendant admitted ownership of the drug when he was being taken to the Bartica Police Station on the day of the incident.
As such, McLennan handed down the sentence.
