[www.inewsguyana.com] – A Carpenter of Enmore, East Coast Demerara was on Tuesday (December 17) placed on $75,000 bail by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry for possessing fake $5000 notes.
Guy Matheson pleaded guilty to the offence which alleged that on December 16 at Georgetown, he had in his possession the notes without lawful authority and with the knowledge that it was forged.
According to Matheson, he was walking along the road when he found an envelope which contained the money.
The unrepresented defendant declared that he had no knowledge that it was counterfeit since he never saw what the authentic note looks like. Based on this explanation a not guilty plea was entered.
Matheson added that he went to a shop and enquired about the currency. He said later that day he was arrested by the police.
Police Prosecutor Bharat Mangru objected to bail, citing the seriousness and prevalence of the offence.
This objection was not upheld and Matheson was granted $75,000 bail. He will return to court on February 7.
Meanwhile, several Commercial Banks have been reportedly receiving these counterfeit notes by customers doing business with them.
The notes only came into circulation on December 9.
It was reported in one section of the media that the penalties attached to knowingly being in possession of counterfeit money could lead to 14 years in prison while manufacturing counterfeit money could lead to life imprisonment.
