Bail hearing for accused drug smuggler falls through
Published:Monday | June 19, 2023 | 12:50 AM
WESTERN BUREAU:
BURTHLAND HODGES, a British national who allegedly conspired with others to smuggle cocaine out of Jamaica, was visibly fuming on Friday when the St James Parish Court remanded him until July 21, after his anticipated bail hearing failed to start due to his lawyer’s absence.
Hodges, a 49-year-old resident of addresses in St Ann and Birmingham, England, had previously had his bail hearing put off to Friday’s date following his first court appearance on May 19.
But when the matter was mentioned before presiding Judge Sasha-Marie Ashley, it was disclosed that Hodges’ attorney, Everal Webster, was not present for the court session and would not be likely to attend.
“When was the last time you saw your lawyer?” Judge Ashley asked Hodges.
“He was supposed to be here in court, but I have not seen him, and today is supposed to be the bail hearing,” Hodges answered militantly.
Left Ja as a child
Meanwhile, the court was told that checks by the prosecution had indicated that Hodges’ ties to Jamaica were not strong enough to warrant bail being considered for him, as he had reportedly left the country as a child.
It was also disclosed that the prosecution’s case file was ready in the event that the matter should proceed to trial.
Hodges has been remanded to return to court on July 21
The allegations in Hodges’ case are that he was arrested in St Ann after investigators connected him to two other British nationals, Luke Bradly and Loran Bartley, who were arrested on May 6 for attempting to smuggle cocaine onto a flight to Birmingham, England, at the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, St James. Hodges was alleged to be a co-conspirator who sourced the cocaine and passed it on to carriers heading overseas.
Bradly and Bartley, who each attempted to smuggle 11 pounds of cocaine onto the Birmingham flight, were both sentenced in the St James Parish Court on May 19 after pleading guilty to possession of, dealing in, and attempting to export cocaine. They were each sentenced to 10 months in prison, and each was ordered to pay a total fine of $1.5 million.
Eight persons were arrested during the month of May in relation to several separate cases of attempting to smuggle varying amounts of cocaine through the Sangster International Airport onto flights destined for England. Of the eight, five have to date been convicted and sentenced before the St James Parish Court.