Three St. Lucians have been denied bail on charges of possession, drug trafficking, and conspiracy to traffic 22,243 grams of cocaine in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Dolton “Degree” John, a 32-year-old fisherman, of Castries, Moses “Laygay” Barbour, a 50-year-old steel bender/carpenter, of Vieux Fort, and Ezra “Will” Henry, 49, self-employed, of Castries, appeared before Senior Magistrate Colin John at the Serious Offences Court in Kingstown on Wednesday.
They pleaded not guilty to the charges allegedly committed at Hamilton, Bequia between Sept. 16 and 17.
Prosecutor Inspector of Police Renrick Cato objected to bail, telling the court that the trio is non-nationals.
He said the prosecution was fearful that if granted bail, the men would leave the jurisdiction and not return for trial.
“St. Lucia is just across the waters,” Cato said and asked that the court remand the men in custody for a month, saying that the prosecution would try to get the substance, tested by then, as is required when an accused pleads not guilty to a drug charge.
However, defence counsel Ronald Marks told the court that contrary to what the prosecutor had said, Barbour is Vincentian by descent and his father lives in Barrouallie.
The lawyer, however, said he would not make a bail application then because he would have to establish sufficient ties to the jurisdiction.
He said he would make a bail application when if gets the requisite information before the adjournment period elapses.
The lawyer said the other two defendants are St. Lucians but this does not bar them from bail.
He said the quantity of cocaine in question is substantial, adding that he would make a dedicated bail application within the month, if necessary.
The magistrate remanded the men in prison and set Oct. 17 as the trial date.
Why the suspects are not in handcuffs? This is rather backwardness on behalf of the Ministry of Justice. Suspects should be handcuffs to avoid attempts to flee arrest. There is an old adage ghat the fish commence rotting from the head.