By Travis Chase | HGP Nightly News|
EAST BANK DEMERARA, GUYANA – A Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Staff Sergeant, who was embroiled in a high-profile narcotics case involving over 150 pounds of cannabis, has been cleared of all charges. Magistrate Wanda Fortune, presiding at the Friendship Magistrate’s Court on Monday, ruled that the prosecution failed to prove its case against the officer beyond a reasonable doubt.
Staff Sergeant Adisa Higgins was freed after the magistrate upheld “no-case” submissions presented by his defense attorney, Bernard Da Silva. However, the legal outcome was different for his co-defendant, Colvis Sam, who was found guilty and now faces significant time behind bars.
The Interception at Coverden
The case dates back to June 2024, when law enforcement intercepted a GDF vehicle at Coverden, East Bank Demerara. Upon searching the military vehicle, officers discovered more than 150 pounds of suspected cannabis. Both Higgins and Sam were immediately detained and jointly charged with possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.
Defense Cites Investigative Lapses
During the trial, attorney Bernard Da Silva argued vigorously that the prosecution had failed to establish a “nexus” between the Staff Sergeant and the illegal cargo. The defense maintained that Higgins was merely a passenger in the vehicle and had no knowledge or physical control of the narcotics.
Da Silva highlighted several critical failures in the police investigation, including:
- Lack of Forensic Evidence: No fingerprint or DNA evidence linked Higgins to the packages.
- Documentation Gaps: An absence of photographs and proper chain-of-custody documentation.
- Custody of the Vehicle: The defense argued that as the designated driver, Colvis Sam exercised sole custody and control over the vehicle and its contents.
Magistrate Fortune concurred with these submissions, noting that the evidence presented did not meet the high threshold required for a criminal conviction against Higgins.
Verdict and Sentencing
While the charges against Higgins were dismissed, the court found sufficient evidence to convict Colvis Sam. The magistrate deferred Sam’s sentencing until Friday, May 15, 2026, pending the submission of an official valuation of the seized narcotics to the court.
The ruling marks the end of a long legal battle for Staff Sergeant Higgins, while the Guyana Defence Force continues to navigate the fallout of a scandal involving the use of military assets for illegal activity.
