Guardsman cocaine trial put off until November 16
Published:Monday | May 11, 2015 | 12:00 AM
WESTERN BUREAU:
The highly anticipated trial of two St James men who were arrested after 66 kilograms of cocaine were allegedly found inside the Guardsman Limited vehicle in which they were travelling on April 20, 2013, has been put off until November 16.
Owen Glaze and Andrew Brown, who were expected to stand trial in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court on Monday, had their bails extended after presiding magistrate Carolyn Tie was told that attorney-at-law George Thomas, who is part of the men's defence team, was ill.
"I have received a letter from Mr George Thomas indicating that he is unwell and would be unable to attend today's proceedings," clerk of the court Yanique Henry told Tie.
The court was also told that the prosecution would call upon eight witnesses in its case against Glaze and Brown.
extended bail
Following discussions with the defendants' other attorneys, Martyn Thomas and Churchill Neita, Tie set the case to be tried on November 16, and extended the men's bails to that date.
The two defendants were arrested on April 20, 2013, by members of the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Task Force, the Transnational Crime and Narcotics Division, and the Jamaica Defence Force, following an operation along the Mount Carey main road in St James.
It is alleged that, during the police operation, the defendants' vehicle was stopped and searched and the cocaine, valued at approximately J$264 million, was found.
Glaze and Brown were subsequently charged with possession of, dealing in, taking steps to export, and trafficking cocaine.