The Alliance For Change (AFC) notes the dismissal of the drug trafficking charge against Devin Sears, a former party member, after the court upheld a no-case submission.
According to the party, the court found that there was insufficient evidence upon which a conviction could be secured.
“We welcome the decision of the court and respect the judicial process that led to this outcome. The ruling serves as a reminder that allegations, regardless of how serious, are not evidence, and public opinion can never be allowed to replace due process and the fair administration of justice,” the AFC said.
At the same time, the AFC condemned the manner in which the matter was “exploited” in sections of the public domain and by “political propagandists who sought to convict Mr. Sears in the court of public opinion long before the courts had the opportunity to examine the evidence”.
“The reckless dissemination of accusations, innuendo, and politically motivated narratives caused unnecessary damage to the reputation of an individual who has now been vindicated by the judicial process,” AFC stressed.
It added that throughout the period, the AFC stood firmly in support of Sears’ right to a fair hearing and the constitutional protections afforded to every Guyanese citizen.
“We extend our congratulations to his legal team, including Mr. Nigel Hughes and Mr. Bernard Da Silva, whose diligent representation ensured that the facts were properly tested before the court and that justice prevailed.”
The charge stemmed from a major drug ‘
bustthat occurred on Monday, October 20, in the vicinity of the old Bamia Police Checkpoint in Linden.
The police on mobile patrol stopped a dark blue Toyota Hiace minibus bearing registration number BAJ 4486, which is registered to the Region 10 Tourism Committee Inc.
A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered 22 bulky black plastic bags and four large brown canvas bags containing leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be cannabis.
The narcotics, when weighed, amounted to 310.71 kilogrammes.
Sears pleaded not guilty to the charge, while his co-accused, Albert Sandy, a 69-year-old farmer of Tacama Waterfront, Upper Berbice River, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment.
