Three in court over cannabis in apartment
Three men have appeared in Magistrates’ Court following the discovery by police of an alleged cannabis grow-room in a Pembroke home.Marco Tora, 26, admitted cultivating the plants at his Hill Crescent apartment.Two others appeared with him, on a variety of charges connected with the May 18 incident.George Dyer, 22, of the same Hill Crescent address, pleaded not guilty to cultivation.The men were also charged, alongside 27-year-old Leonard Butterfield, of Burnt House Hill, Warwick, of possession with intent to supply. All three denied the offence.Tora admitted to possession of drug equipment and possession of cannabis. Mr Dyer, the occupant of the apartment where the plants were seized, pleaded not guilty to knowingly allowing the premises to be used for the cultivation of cannabis.The court heard from Crown counsel Larissa Burgess that on May 18, police executed a search warrant at the apartment, where Tora and Mr Butterfield were detained.Thirteen plants were discovered in a closet grow room equipped with lighting, fans and reflective foil. Cannabis was found in a locked safe, whose key was in Tora’s pocket. Drugs were also recovered from the freezer, and a twist hidden in Tora’s sock.Equipment included scales, a grinder and scissors. The total weight of cannabis was 136 grams, which Ms Burgess said had an estimated street value of $6,800.Mr Dyer was arrested in St George’s later that day.Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner granted Mr Butterfield and Mr Dyer bail of $10,000 each, but remanded Tora into custody. Trial and sentencing was set for August 5.Mr Butterfield was then charged separately of possession of cannabis with intent to supply, as well as possession of drug equipment, from a May 15 incident. He denied both charges.Mr Warner remanded Mr Butterfield into custody, setting a trial date for October 15.