Two Vincentians have pleaded guilty to four charges relating to the importation of liquid cocaine into Barbados.
They bring to three this year the number of nationals of St. Vincent and the Grenadines who have pleaded guilty in Bridgetown for trafficking liquid cocaine to Barbados.
A press release issued by authorities in Barbados say that Asima Ironsi Roberts, 38 years of Dorchetshire Hill, and Makaider Kristal Derrick 24 years of Glen pleased guilty to four charges, namely, possession of cocaine, possession with intent to supply; trafficking; and importation of the drug.
Roberts and Derrick arrived in Barbados together from St. Vincent on the same flight on Friday, the press release said, but did not give any information about the carrier on which the two travelled.
Authorities in Barbados say that Derrick’s luggage was searched by Customs personnel and three plastic bottles containing a liquid substance suspected to be cocaine was found in a black pouch concealed in her suitcase.
She was arrested, along with Roberts and referred to the police.
Further investigations were conducted by the police, which resulted in Barbadian national Justin Selman, 47, of Lot 3A Berlin Road, St. Philip being arrested and charged on that same date for an offence, to wit acts preparatory to traffic a controlled drug to wit: cocaine.
The three accused appeared at the District B Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday and the two Vincentians pleaded guilty to the offences, and were remanded to Her Majesty Prison Dodds, to reappear in court on the Sept. 8 for sentencing.
Selman pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted bail in the sum of BDS$7,500 with one surety.
He is to reappear in court on Sept. 29.
In June, Vincentian Desrey Vernice Stowe, a 35-year-old mother of two, avoided jail in Barbados after she paid the BDS$50,000 fine imposed on her after she pleaded guilty to possession of 1.5 kilogrammes of cocaine, possession with intent to supply, trafficking and importation.
She arrived in Barbados from St. Vincent by air on June 6.
When Customs officials searched her luggage, two bottles containing a liquid suspected to be cocaine were found.
Police in Barbados said tests revealed the liquid to be cocaine.
SVG authorities need to do much more in finding these drugs before leaving local ports.
Total embarrassment for SVG.
Hold off a little vincentian, I have it from very good source that when a person, having left here on a LIAT, was nabbed in Barbados, this was about two years ago, it was the work of our customs people.
They knew that if held here he was going to go free so they tipped of Barbados. I believe it, easy.
Check out if Asima Ironsi Roberts or Makaider Kristal Derrick wear red.