Two men from the Rupununi region were granted bail on Monday after being charged with trafficking a quantity of cocaine. The accused, identified as 32-year-old John Daniels and 28-year-old Samuel James, appeared before Magistrate Dylon Bess at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, where they both pleaded not guilty to the charge.

According to the prosecution, the men were apprehended last week during a police operation in Lethem, where law enforcement officers reportedly discovered over one kilogram of cocaine concealed in a vehicle driven by the defendants. The operation was part of ongoing efforts to curb narcotics trafficking across the Guyana-Brazil border.

During the court hearing, the defense attorneys argued that their clients were not aware of the drugs being in the vehicle and maintained their innocence. After considering the submissions, Magistrate Bess granted each man bail in the sum of $300,000 and ordered them to surrender their passports. They are also required to report to the Lethem Police Station every Friday until the conclusion of the trial.

The case has been adjourned to July 15, when the prosecution is expected to present further evidence. The arrest has highlighted the persistent challenges faced by authorities in tackling drug trafficking in the border regions, with officials vowing to intensify their operations in the coming months.