June 14 for security guard cocaine trial

WESTERN BUREAU:

The trial of the two St James men who were arrested after 66 kilograms of cocaine that was allegedly found inside the security vehicle in which they were travelling, in 2013, has once again been deferred to a later date.

Owen Glaze and Andrew Brown, who are slated to stand trial on charges of possession of, dealing in, taking steps to export, and trafficking cocaine, had their bails extended until June 14 following their most recent appearance in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court on Wednesday.

When the case was mentioned before Presiding Magistrate Natalie Hart-Hines, it was put off to the next court date at the request of the defendants' attorneys.

Previously, the trial was expected to start on Monday, April 18, but it had been deferred due to the absence of one of the defence lawyers, who was engaged in another matter in the St James Circuit Court at that time.

Seven witnesses are expected to give testimony for the prosecution once the trial gets under way.

THREE YEARS AGO

Glaze and Brown were arrested on April 20, 2013 by members of the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency, the Transnational Crime and Narcotics Division, and the Jamaica Defence Force during 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 cocaine valued at approximately J$264 million found. Glaze and Brown were subsequently arrested and charged.

- C.T.