Woman granted $500,000 bail, co-accused remains remanded in 345lbs ganja bust case

One of two women who were remanded following a 345lbs ganja bust in West Coast Berbice has been granted bail.

Shamay Bryan, 33, was on Thursday released on $500,000 bail when she appeared before Magistrate Taunna Hardy at the Fort Wellington Magistrate’s Court.

However, her co-accused, 32-year-old Sarafina Cheddy, was refused bail and remains on remand.

The women are jointly charged with possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking following the January 24 interception.

Attorney-at-Law Bernard DaSilva, who represented both defendants, made separate bail applications on their behalf.

The court granted Bryan bail on condition that she lodge all travel documents and report every other Friday to the nearest police station in her area of residence.

However, bail was refused for Cheddy on the grounds that she allegedly committed a similar offence while already on bail in a previous matter.

During Thursday’s proceedings, the court also noted that the vehicle in which the narcotics were allegedly found was not registered to either defendant.

The defence further raised concerns that the prosecution was not making full disclosure at this stage of the proceedings. Additionally, the court was told that no trial date has yet been fixed, though the matter is expected to proceed sometime in April or May.

The case has been adjourned to March 26, 2026, for report and further disclosure.

Bryan and Cheddy have previously pleaded not guilty to the trafficking charge.

2 women remanded over 345lbs ganja bust