A man from Berbice was remanded to prison on Friday, May 15, 2026 after being charged with the possession of narcotics discovered in a minibus.
Carlos Chung, aged 30, a cash crop farmer residing at Lot 239 Ithaca Village, West Bank Berbice, and also at Lot 50 Stanleytown, New Amsterdam Berbice, appeared before Magistrate Shivani Lalaram at the Weldaad Magistrate’s Court.
It is alleged that on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Number 7 Public Road, West Coast Berbice, within the West Berbice Magisterial District, Chung was found in possession of narcotics—2.80 kilograms of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.
Represented by Attorney-at-law Joel Edmond, Chung pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The lawyer argued that the narcotics were found in a minibus used for public transportation. He stated that at the time of the discovery, there were seven or more occupants in the vehicle. The illegal item was in the trunk of the minibus.
Attorney Edmond informed the court that his client does not possess a passport but is willing to comply with any conditions should bail be granted. He emphasised that the amount of cannabis is small and requested reasonable bail.
Police Prosecutor Sergeant Garfield Edwards informed the Court that the case file is complete, with the exception of the analysis certificate.
While opposing bail, Edwards clarified that, regardless of the quantity, the substance still constitutes trafficking, which is punishable by imprisonment if convicted. He added that the narcotics were found in the trunk of the minibus, with the bag identified as owned by Chung.
The prosecutor further stated that the defendant provided a video and audio recording to police, claiming ownership of the bag and asserting that he collected the narcotics from a taxi driver in Rosignol, West Bank Berbice, for delivery in Georgetown.
Edwards noted that the defendant provided a different name, “Shamar Lindie,” when the narcotics were discovered. Witnesses present in the minibus confirmed this information through written statements.
The defendant also supplied two addresses; Edwards expressed concern that, if granted bail, Chung might flee the jurisdiction.
Additionally, Edwards said the minibus driver confirmed that the defendant entered the vehicle with a bag. He urged the court to refuse bail and remand the defendant pending further proceedings.
Chung’s counsel challenged the prosecutor’s arguments, asserting that the investigation is ongoing and the analysis certificate remains outstanding. He requested that the court reject claims regarding two addresses, stating his client provided Lot numbers and would be present at one of those addresses if granted bail.
Counsel also contested the assertion that Chung claimed ownership of the bag, emphasising that testing would be necessary to verify such a confession under judicial standards; without testing, it cannot be substantiated.
Furthermore, he argued that a bus driver is responsible for all items in the vehicle and questioned how many individuals had approached the minibus’s trunk prior to the search. He concluded by requesting that the court grant reasonable bail.
After deliberation, Magistrate Lalaram dismissed the bail application due to the seriousness of the offence.
Chung was remanded until June 03, 2026. The case was transferred to the Fort Wellington Magistrate’s Court for further proceedings.
