Bail conditions adjusted for flight attendant on cocaine rap
Published:Tuesday | September 12, 2023 | 12:10 AMChristopher Thomas/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
MICHELLE VIRGO, the flight attendant who was charged after cocaine was reportedly found in her luggage at the Sangster International Airport on June 6, had her bail conditions modified on Monday.
Virgo, a 44-year-old dual citizen of Jamaican and United States addresses, is charged with possession of, dealing in, attempting to export, and conspiracy to export cocaine. She was previously granted bail in the sum of $1 million with surety during a previous court appearance on June 16, with a requirement to report to the police three times a week.
On Monday, her attorney, Martyn Thomas, successfully applied to presiding judge Sasha-Marie Ashley in the in the St James Parish Court for his client’s reporting times to be reduced to two days weekly.
In granting the motion, Judge Ashley ordered that all other bail conditions, including a stop order preventing her from leaving Jamaica, must remain in place.
Meanwhile, the court was informed that a corroborating officer’s statement is now on the prosecution’s case file and that the forensic certificate is ready to be picked up for addition to the file. However, a scene-of-crime CD which was outstanding is yet to be added.
Virgo’s bail was extended to October 3, at which time it is expected that the prosecution’s outstanding documents will be ready.
The allegations against Virgo are that on June 6, she was preparing to board a JetBlue flight destined for New York at Sangster International.
During a routine security check, three pounds of cocaine with estimated at a street value of US$75,000 (J$11.5 million) were reportedly found in a false compartment in Virgo’s suitcase. Under caution, the defendant allegedly said, “Cocaine? This is unbelievable.”
She was subsequently charged on June 10 with breaches of the Dangerous Drugs Act.