Juvenile arrested after cannabis found in West Ruimveldt house

…in the care of Childcare and Protection Service
…Police say attempts to release her into custody of mother futile

A 14-year-old girl is has been arrested following the discovery of a 11.325 pounds of leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannibis at a West Ruimveldt, Georgetown home on December 3.

The cannabis was discovered in a tub under a bed occupied by the teenager.
According to Police, ranks of Regional Division 4 ‘A’, acting upon information received, conducted a search at a West Ruimveldt residence which was solely occupied, at the time, by the teenager.

Police said shortly after arriving at the house, they were approached by a 26-year-old female who claimed to be the daughter of the owner of the property and the sister of the juvenile in the house.

“On arrival at the house, the southern door was seen open and was used by the Police to enter the house where they observed the female juvenile on a bed. The ranks proceeded to search the house and discovered under the bed occupied by the female a wash tub containing a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems, suspected to be cannabis,” the statement said.

The teen was questioned in the presence of her sister and told police that she lives at the location with her 41-year-old mother who was out of town at the time the search was conducted.

“The juvenile and the suspected cannabis were subsequently escorted to the East La Penitence Police Station where the suspected narcotics was weighed in her presence and amounted to 11.352 pounds,” the police said noting that since the arrest and detention of the teen on December 3, 2020, “numerous efforts have been made to release the juvenile into her mother’s custody in keeping with the Juvenile Offences Act Cap.10:03, but all such efforts have been proved futile”.

The 14-year-old girl has since been released into the custody of the Childcare & Protection Agency.
The Police assured that the detention of the teen is in keeping with its Standard Operating Procedures and that at no time was the juvenile placed in any lock-ups. Additionally, the Force said that the teen was not questioned by male detectives now was she handcuffed.

Advice has been sought from the Director of Public Prosecutions on the way forwad.