Thirty-three-year-old Shamay Bryan of Lot 23 Smithfield, New Amsterdam, Berbice was on Thursday granted $500,000 bail for possession of cannabis.
The court heard that on Saturday, January 24th 2026, at Number 10 Village, West Coast Berbice, Shamay and 32-year-old Sarafina Pitt of Lot 51, Smithfield, Berbice had in their possession 345.8 pounds of cannabis for trafficking.
The two women who had appeared at the Blairmont Magistrates Court before Magistrate Michelle Matthias pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Sarafina had informed the court that she is a housewife, while Bryan stated that she owns a grocery shop.
Police Prosecutor Sergeant Garfield Edwards had objected to bail, citing the amount of narcotics and prevalence of the offence. He said that, given the seriousness of the offence, the penalty if found guilty will be hefty.
Edwards had contended that the two women were the only people inside the car at the time of the drug bust. He reminded the court that Sarafina, who was a former officer attached to the New Amsterdam Prison, was charged and released on bail for possession of narcotics.
Prosecutor Edwards stated that, while on bail, Sarafina had committed a similar offence.
During the second court proceedings on Thursday in the Fort Wellington Magistrates ‘ Court, Attorney-at-Law Bernard Da Silver represented Shamay and Sarafina. He made a bail application, noting that his clients are willing to comply with any bail conditions.
Prosecutor Edwards objected to bail, stating that he had relied on his objection at the first court appearance.
Bail was granted by Her Worship Taunna Hardy only to Shamay in the sum of $500k, with the condition that she lodge all relevant documents and report every other Friday to the nearest police station in her area of residence.
Bail was refused for Pitt because she had committed a similar offence while on bail. She was further remanded.
The matter was adjourned to March 22nd 2026, for report and further disclosure.
