Security Guard Pleads Guilty to Trafficking Marijuana

February 12 2025 – A Laing Avenue, West Ruimveldt, Georgetown security guard now faces jail time after pleading guilty to trafficking 75 grammes of cannabis when he appeared at a city court on Tuesday.

Until his sentencing hearing which is scheduled for March 5, 2025, Tishawn Mc Kenzie was remanded to prison by Acting Chief Magistrate Faith Mc Gusty of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Mc Kenzie appeared visibly shocked when the magistrate informed him that the offence attracts a lengthy prison sentence. The narcotic was found at his home on February 6, 2025.

The police prosecutor told the court that Mc Kenzie’s home was searched after the police received information linking him to a robbery at a Chinese supermarket.

Mc Kenzie, who is employed by a well-known security company, was reportedly on duty at a location close to the establishment that was burglarized.

A few days after the incident, police, acting on a tip, searched his residence and found a blue haversack containing the cannabis.

During his court appearance, he admitted to the charge but claimed he was taking the fall to protect his wife.

While explaining his case to the court, Mc Kenzie maintained that the drugs were not meant for sale or distribution but had been bought by his wife for her birthday celebration.

However, he stated that the party never happened, leaving the narcotics in their home.

“I can’t let my wife suffer. So, I gotta take the blame,” said the defendant in explaining his decision to plead guilty.

He informed the court that his partner has five children, while he has three of his own, and he did not want her to suffer any legal consequences.

The magistrate asked Mc Kenzie if he was aware that possessing cannabis was illegal, to which he admitted he was.

She then inquired whether he understood that the charge carried the possibility of imprisonment rather than just a fine.

At that moment, Mc Kenzie appeared visibly shaken and pleaded for leniency.

Taking his reaction into account, Magistrate Mc Gusty ordered a probation report before delivering her final ruling.

The report will provide the court with important information on Mc Kenzie’s background and economic circumstances to guide the magistrate in determining an appropriate prison term.

In 2022, the government abolished custodial sentences for the possession of less than 30 grammes of marijuana.

However, possession of amounts exceeding this limit carries a prison sentence ranging from three to five years, along with a fine.