The preliminary inquiry into the discovery of 133 pounds of marijuana aboard the army’s flagship three months ago continued before Senior Magistrate Maxwell Edwards yesterday.

The prosecution yesterday called Able Ratings Seko Dickinson to the stand. Dickinson, who is attached to the Coast Guard at Ramp Road, East Bank Demerara, gave his evidence in chief and was later cross-examined by defence counsel Vic Puran.

Dickinson was part of the crew aboard the army’s flagship when the vessel docked in Barbados for the Trade Winds Exercise. Puran is set to continue cross-examination when the hearing resumes on October 27.

Prosecutor and state counsel Paula Gilford yesterday sought an adjournment in the proceedings before the inquiry commenced, owing to the absence of defence counsel Puran. Gilford explained that Puran is usually late for the hearings.

Magistrate Edwards denied the request saying that Puran was expected to be present.

State counsel Gilford is appearing on behalf of the prosecution in association with state counsel Simone Bullen while Puran is representing both defendants, Shandy Stephens and Wayne Inniss.

Ex-soldiers Able Ratings Inniss of Lamaha Springs and Ordinary Ratings Stephens of Dacama Circle, Linden were jointly charged on July 16 with conspiracy to traffic in narcotics. Inniss was also separately charged with trafficking in narcotics.

The duo was implicated in the find aboard the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) flagship after the vessel docked in Barbados and the marijuana was discovered aboard the vessel.