September 11 sentencing for Dutchman for cocaine smuggling

Patrick Crawford, the Dutch national who was arrested on May 9 for trying to smuggle $28.3 million worth of cocaine through Montego Bay's Sangster International Airport, pleaded guilty in the St James Parish Court on Thursday morning.

Crawford, a 44-year-old carpenter of a Rotterdam address, pleaded guilty before presiding judge Natiesha Fairclough-Hylton to the charges of possession of, dealing in and attempting to export nine pounds of cocaine.

He was subsequently remanded until September 11, when a social enquiry report and criminal records report are expected to be completed to assist in his sentencing.

According to reports, about 5:00 p.m. on May 9, Crawford attempted to board a flight to Brussels, Belgium, at the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay.

While checking in to board the flight, Crawford was approached and spoken to by Narcotics personnel, following which his luggage was searched. The cocaine was then reportedly found in false compartments inside his luggage, and Crawford was arrested for breaching the Dangerous Drugs Act.

Crawford, who is represented by attorney Henry McCurdy, first appeared before the St James Parish Court on May 20.

His case subsequently went back to court on June 10, during which he complained that his requests for the police to take him for medical treatment had gone unheeded, and on June 24, at which time the defendant was physically absent due to being hospitalised hours before the scheduled hearing.

His last court date prior to today's sitting was on Wednesday when the case was put off as the forensic certificate was outstanding from the prosecution's case file.

- Christopher Thomas

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