In a significant judicial ruling from Guyana’s Bartica Magistrate’s Court, 43-year-old Asif Bacchus has been handed a substantial prison term for narcotics offenses. The unemployed Arcade Street resident faced charges under the stringent Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act for possession with intent to traffic.
The case, prosecuted by the Guyana Police Force, reached its conclusion on February 14, 2026, following Bacchus’s virtual court appearance via Zoom technology. Presiding Magistrate Ravindra Mohabir formally presented the charges to the defendant, who subsequently entered a guilty plea.
Court documents reveal that Bacchus’s arrest and conviction mark a continued effort by Guyanese authorities to combat drug trafficking in the mining-dependent region of Bartica. The case represents another successful prosecution under the country’s comprehensive anti-narcotics legislation.
The four-year sentence reflects the seriousness with which the Guyanese judiciary treats drug-related crimes. Legal experts suggest this ruling may establish precedent for future narcotics cases in the region, particularly those involving trafficking quantities of controlled substances.
Law enforcement officials have indicated that the conviction forms part of broader operations targeting drug distribution networks in the Bartica area, which has historically faced challenges related to illegal narcotics trade alongside its legitimate mining activities.