A prison officer who allegedly used his influence to commandeer those within his charge at the New Amsterdam prison to indulge in a drug running scheme within the precincts of the penitentiary has been charged along with this brother, a convicted prisoner, for the crime.Prison Officer Dexter Douglas, 24, of Tucber Park, New Amsterdam and his brother Errol Bristol, 40, an inmate of the New Amsterdam Prison were on Friday remanded to jail by Magistrate Adela Nagamootoo when they appeared before her at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s court and pleaded not guilty to the charge of trafficking in narcotics.The men were charged with being in possession of 851 grams of marijuana on the 4th January 2013.The two brothers were implicated by former convicted prisoner Clifton Ramcharran called “Witch”.The court heard that on the day in question an alert Prison Officer who was working in the compound of the New Amsterdam prison around 21:30 hours,cheap jerseys from china, saw some suspicious movements and upon checking, he noticed then convicted prisoner Ramcharran called “Witch” with a haversack over his shoulder.The Prison Officer challenged the man and ordered him to stop, but he continued walking towards the male dormitory. The prison officer followed him but Ramcharran managed to disappear. He was subsequently located and a search of his person revealed a quantity of cigarettes and spoons in one of his pockets.A further search unearthed the bag which he had concealed.Upon checking the bag a quantity of leaves seeds and stems suspected to be marijuana was found.The contents were later tested and weighed and found to be 851 grams of marijuana. Confronted with the harsh reality of being charged with a further crime, Ramcharran stated that Douglas sent him to collect the drugs.When confronted Douglas denied that he knew anything of the arrangement.A file was prepared and sent to the DPP for advice and after further investigation, it was advised that Douglas and his brother be charged.Bristol originally of Savannah Park Housing Scheme, New Amsterdam is serving a four year term for trafficking in narcotics. He along with a Surinamese was held at Springlands in a car where they were found with 1 KG cocaine and 220 grams of cannabis.Police had also checked the home of Bristol where they unearthed 10 -12 gauge shot gun rounds, which were concealed in a part of the house.Their next court date is set for 08th of July.Ramcharran of No. 2, East Canje, has since been released from jail where he was incarcerated for a number of crimes. He was hospitalised in the Georgetown Hospital in a critical condition a few weeks ago, after he was brutally wounded by a resident whose mother he had threatened to kill.
