Shawn Jerrick, 32, formerly of Anns Grove, East Coast Demerara, will have to spend three years in prison and an additional 12 weeks for possession of narcotic and illegal spirits. The sentences will run concurrently, however.

The businessman who operates an unlicensed liquor shop at Buck Hall Village, Essequibo, Region 2 (Pomeroon/Supenaam) made his first appearance before Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Suddie Magistrate’s Court. Jerrick pleaded guilty to possession of narcotics for the purposes of trafficking charge.

According to the prosecution case, on 19 May during a police raid, 70 grams of cannabis was found on his business premises. Acting on information, detectives of G Division of the Guyana Police Force journeyed to Jerrick’s premises where cannabis was found in an abandoned washroom in his upper flat.

He told the court that business is “slow” and he was trying to “catch a fast hand”. He was sentenced to three years imprisonment along with a fine of $30,000.

In addition to that charge, the police also alleged that on 19 May, 2016, during the police raid 568 millilitres and 16 quarter bottles of high wine were unearthed.

The defendant is unlicensed to sell the liquor.

Jerrick was further charged for being in possession of wine, malt and liquor without a valid licence. For that charge he also pleaded guilty and was sentenced to six weeks in prison.

At the end of the trial he broke down as he begged magistrate Scarce to fine him.

However, Magistrate Scarce explained to him that he must face the consequences since what he did were illegal.