Former MP Devin Sears remanded on drug trafficking charge

Former opposition parliamentarian Devin Sears was on Thursday remanded to prison after being charged with possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking. The 39-year-old appeared before Magistrate Rushell Liverpool at the Linden Magistrates’ Court, where he pleaded not guilty to the charge.

His co-accused, Albert Sandy, a 69-year-old farmer from Tacama Waterfront, Upper Berbice River, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment. Despite Sandy’s admission of full responsibility for the drugs, Magistrate Liverpool ordered that Sears be remanded until 11 November 2025, when the matter will return for report and disclosure.

Sears is being represented by attorneys-at-law Nigel Hughes and Bernard Da Silva.

The charges stem from a major drug bust on Monday, 20 October, in the vicinity of the Old Bamia Police Checkpoint in Linden. Police officers on mobile patrol reportedly stopped a dark blue Toyota Hiace minibus, bearing registration number BAJ 4486, registered to the Region Ten Tourism Committee Inc.

According to a police report, Sears, who was driving the vehicle, appeared nervous and was sweating profusely when questioned. He allegedly told officers he was transporting “tourism plants.” A search of the vehicle uncovered 22 black plastic bags and four large brown canvas bags containing leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be cannabis.

The narcotics, when weighed, amounted to 310.71 kilogrammes (approximately 684 pounds). Both Sears and Sandy were taken into custody and cautioned. Sandy reportedly told investigators that the marijuana belonged to him and that he had paid Sears to transport him to Parika.

Following his arrest, Sears — who has served as an educator and political activist — tendered his resignation from the Region Ten Tourism Committee. The Committee later issued a statement distancing itself from his alleged involvement, stressing that the matter was “personal and unrelated to the organisation’s work in promoting eco-tourism and regional development.”

Meanwhile, the Alliance For Change (AFC), of which Sears is a member, said it would allow the judicial process to take its course, reiterating that all individuals are entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. The party reaffirmed its commitment to integrity, accountability, and adherence to the law among its members.