Two women from Smithfield have been remanded to prison following charges of trafficking a substantial quantity of cannabis. Sarafina Pitt, 32, a housewife, and Shamay Bryan, 33, a grocery shop owner, appeared at the Blairmont Magistrates Court before Magistrate Michelle Matthias on Tuesday.
The court was informed that the women were found in possession of approximately 345.8 pounds of cannabis on January 24, 2026, in Number 10 Village, West Coast Berbice, allegedly for the purpose of trafficking.
With tears in their eyes, both women pleaded not guilty to the charges, appearing without legal representation. Police Prosecutor Sergeant Garfield Edwards objected to bail, citing the significant quantity of narcotics involved and the frequency of similar offenses in the area. He stressed the serious consequences they could face if convicted, noting that the women were the sole occupants of the vehicle when the drugs were discovered.
Notably, Sarafina Pitt is a former officer from the New Amsterdam Prison who had been previously charged and released on bail for possession of narcotics. This ongoing case is currently before the New Amsterdam Magistrates’ Court. Edwards emphasized that despite being on bail, Pitt had committed a similar offense, further reinforcing the argument against granting bail.
After reviewing the prosecution’s concerns, Magistrate Matthias explained that the nature of the charges—along with the prevalence and severity of the narcotics involved—led her to deny bail and remand both women to prison.
The case has been forwarded to the Fort Wellington Magistrate’s Court, with further proceedings scheduled for February 12. The community watches closely as this significant case unfolds.
