Teen, Taxi Driver remanded in $5.6M drug case

Two Linden residents, who were recently caught by the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) with $5.9M worth in cannabis were remanded to prison on Thursday.

Michael Bascom, a 41-year-old Taxi Driver of Phase One, Linden Housing Scheme and 18-year-old Reva Bovell, of Obama Drive, Linden both appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court where they pleaded not guilty to the joint charge.

It is alleged that the duo on May 9 at Linden/Soesdyke Highway trafficked 11.832 kilograms of cannabis which they had in their possession.

Bascom did not have legal representation while Bovell was represented by Attorney-at-law, Clyde Forde, who in his application for bail, explained to the Court that his client is expected to write the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) exams in June.

He added that on the day in question, Bovell entered Bascom’s taxi at Obama Drive in Linden with nothing but her purse, however, the vehicle was intercepted at the Soesdyke junction by CANU officers and the drugs were found in the car but not in his client’s possession.

CANU prosecutor, Kunyo Sandiford informed the court that there are oral and written caution statements by the defendants, linking them to the drugs.

Sandiford objected to the duo being released on bail. The Magistrate ruled in the Prosecutor’s favour and remanded the duo until May 24.