CMC – The police have arrested and charged Newspaper Editor, George Worme, who has used his newspaper to expose what he sees as corruption in Grenada, for stealing sand.

However, Worme, the editor of the controversial New Today newspaper, has described his arrest as a misunderstanding.

Police say Worme was arrested on a beach on the south east of the island just after midnight with four buckets of sand.

It is reported that George Worme has been granted bail in the sum of EC$200 or US$740 with one surety.

The 54-year-old journalist was caught with four buckets of sand in a vehicle on the Fort Jeudy Beach, by officers attached to South St. George Police Station during a patrol at about 1.00 a.m.

Under Grenadian law it is illegal to extract sand for the beaches and such a crime carries a penalty of EC$15,000 or US$5,555 or two years in prison.

Worme said he cannot speak to the details of the incident since he has now been formally charged but said it had nothing to do with his role as a newspaper editor.

“The Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF) has charged me with sand mining as a result of a certain misunderstanding. Since a formal charge has been laid against me, the matter is now before the Magistrate’s Court, as such it is sub-judice and therefore I cannot make any further comment at this stage” Worme said in a statement.

“Neither my lawyer or myself would wish to get into the merit of the case, however, Clouden will address the matter at the appropriate time and place. This is a matter involving the Commissioner of Police Vs George Worme in a private capacity and in no way involves the New Today Newspaper”.

Worme is due to appear before the magistrate court on May 22 to answer the charge.