Antiguan football official Danny Benjamin placed under house arrest

Danny Benjamin, the Antiguan football official facing three drug charges, has been placed under house arrest after having his case mentioned at the Half Way Tree Resident Magistrate's Court earlier today.

Benjamin and Derrick 'Pretty Boy' Edwards were arrested at the Norman Manley International Airport on April 26 after their luggage was searched and found to contain marijuana. The men were travelling home with the Antigua and Barbuda football team after its 1-1 draw with Jamaica at Sabina Park the day before. They were charged with possession of marijuana, taking steps to export marijuana, and dealing in marijuana.

Benjamin has been ordered by Judge Maxine Ellis to serve the house arrest at the Jamaica National Football Team residence on Shortwood Road, Kingston 8. He was also granted bail, which was set at $500,000 and had a stop order placed on him at all ports, should he try to leave the island. He has also been ordered to surrender his travel documents to the police.

Edwards had his bail granted to him last week.

Benjamin and Edwards maintain that they are innocent of the charges, saying that they know nothing of how illicit drugs got into their bags, as other members of the delegation had access to the luggage. 

The men, who are represented by Aon Stewart of the law firm Knight, Junor & Samuels, will have their case mentioned again at the Half Way Tree Resident Magistrate's Court on May 4.