![Paul Coleman [in red shirt] being escorted from the Court. [iNews' Photo]](https://i0.wp.com/www.inewsguyana.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Colema.jpg)
Paul Coleman of Lot 3660 Toucan Drive, South Ruimveldt and Conrad Hackett of ‘E’ Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown, both pleaded not guilty to the charges, one of which alleged that on September 09 at Yaruni, in the Demerara River, they cultivated marijuana.
Particulars of the other charge alleged that on the same day at Yaruni, they had in their possession 8 kilogrammes of the illegal substance for the purpose of trafficking.
Representing both defendants was Attorney-at-law, James Bond, who urged the court to consider the special reasons given by the defence for bail to be granted.
According to Bond, on the day in question, both of his clients were in their motor vehicle when they were stopped by Police ranks in a blue pickup. The lawyer explained that the ranks proceeded to question his clients, pointing out that neither of the accused were found in the vicinity of the plants or seen trimming and cutting the plants.
However, the Prosecution revealed that ranks from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Narcotics Branch acted on information received and went to Yaruni, where they found about two acres of approximately 1000 marijuana plants.
Police prosecutor Deniro Jones informed the court that three men were charged with the offence; however one of the three men escaped from lawful custody while being held at CID Headquarters.
According to the Prosecutor, the men were caught plucking and compressing the leaves, seed and stems of the prohibited plants.
Magistrate Ann McLennan remanded both defendants to prison on the grounds that the reasons given to the court by the defence were not considered as special reasons.
The matter was transferred to the Linden Magistrate’s Court for September 30.
