Two women were on Tuesday remanded to prison after appearing before the Blairmont Magistrate’s Court on narcotics trafficking charges stemming from the discovery of a large quantity of suspected cannabis in West Coast Berbice.
Shamay Bryan, a 33-year-old self-employed woman of African descent of Lot 23 Smith Field, New Amsterdam, Berbice, and Sarafina Cheddy-Pitt, a 32-year-old self-employed woman of African descent of Lot 51 Smith Field, New Amsterdam, Berbice, were jointly charged with possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking, contrary to Section 5(1)(a)(i) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act, Cap. 10:10.
The defendants appeared on January 27, 2026, before Her Worship Ms. Mattias, where the charge was read to them. Both women pleaded not guilty and were remanded to prison. The matter was postponed and transferred to the Fort Wellington Magistrate’s Court, where it will be heard on February 12, 2026.
The charge arises from a police operation conducted on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at about 07:20 hrs along the Number 10 Public Road, West Coast Berbice. Police ranks from Regional Division #5 were conducting a stop-and-search exercise when they intercepted a motor car occupied by two females.
During a search of the vehicle, ranks discovered several brown salt bags and black garbage bags in the trunk, containing bulky parcels wrapped in transparent plastic. The parcels held leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be cannabis.
Both occupants were arrested and taken to the Fort Wellington Police Station along with the suspected narcotics. The substance was weighed in their presence and amounted to 345.8 pounds before being lodged.
Police investigations are continuing.
