Two brothers from Chateaubelair have been granted bail on firearm and marijuana possession charges even as police continue an investigation into cash amounting to EC$27,657 that they allegedly had in their possession.
Desroy Samuel, 37, and Kemon Samuel, 35, both of Sharpes, Chateaubelair, appeared before Senior Magistrate Colin John at the Serious Offences Court on Tuesday, where they each pleaded not guilty to charges that on Jan. 26, at Chateaubelair, they had in their possession:
- one black Maverick 12 gauge model 88 shotgun serial number MV58762C without a license issued under the Firearms Act;
- a controlled drug to wit 26,786 grammes of cannabis with intent to supply it to another; and
- a controlled drug to wit 26,786 grammes of cannabis for the purpose of drug trafficking.
Desroy Samuel pleaded guilty to a charge that on Jan. 26, at Chateaubelair, he had in his possession a controlled drug to wit 454 grammes of cannabis with intent to supply it to another.
The prosecutor, Inspector of Police Renrick Cato ask that sentencing on the guilty plea be set aside until the conclusion of all matters as the charges arise out of the same facts and circumstances.
Defence counsel, Connell did not object to the prosecutor’s application.
Cato also did not object to bail. He, however, informed the court that the Financial Intelligence Unit would be making an application for its forfeiture of the cash — composed EC$9,500 and 6,700 euros.
Connell informed the court that the defence wants to be part of that hearing, to see if the financial investigators have “crossed the hurdle of holding the money initially”.
The magistrate set each defendant’s bail at EC$15,000 with one surety and ordered them to report to the Chateaubelair Police Station on Mondays between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
The court further ordered the men to surrender their travel documents and that stop notices be posted at ports of entry and exit.
Sergeant 615 Lafleur Williams of the Rapid Response Unit, Chateaubelair is the arresting officer.
The matter was adjourned to Feb. 28.