By FARRAH JOHNSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
fjohnson@tribunemedia.net
AN elderly Spanish woman who was arraigned earlier this year in connection with the seizure of 12 pounds of cocaine was yesterday released to the Department of Immigration for deportation after spending five months in custody. Esperanza Bonet-Roig, 73, of Majorca, Spain first appeared before Deputy Chief Magistrate Andrew Forbes in March, after officers seized cocaine from her. At the time, Bonet-Roig was charged with dangerous drug possession with the intent to supply and importation of the contraband into the country.
After spending five months on remand, Bonet-Roig returned to court yesterday to plead guilty to the charges brought against her.
This time, the court heard around 11.30am on the day in question, officers acting on information, went to Lynden Pindling International Airport where they apprehended Bonet-Roig in reference to dangerous drug possession. The defendant was then taken to the airport police station with her black duffle bag. When officers searched it, they discovered a large black square package containing a quantity of suspected cocaine in the lining of the luggage. As a result, the officers contacted a Spanish interpreter to inform Bonet-Roig that she was under arrest.
They also seized $107 from Bonet-Roig as the proceeds of crime. She was then taken to the Drug Enforcement Unit where she denied the allegations when interviewed by officers in the presence of an interpreter. According to the prosecution, the drugs had an estimated street value of $84,000.
During the hearing, Bonet-Roig’s lawyer said his client has “accepted responsibility” for her actions after receiving legal advice. He added Bonet-Roig “fully comprehended the wrong she committed in this jurisdiction” and insisted she was remorseful for allowing herself to be used to transport drugs into the country.
In response, Magistrate Forbes said it appeared as if Bonet-Roig was used as a mule and stated it was regrettable she found herself being incarcerated for five months at her elderly age for such a crime.
As a result, after sentencing the defendant to time served, Magistrate Forbes said he hoped she would exercise a “little more due diligence” in the future and said he would turn her over to the director of immigration to assist with her deportation to Spain. He further ordered the drugs to be confiscated and destroyed and made a note for the $107 that was seized from Bonet-Roig on the day of her arrest to be forfeited to the Crown.
Comments
Clamshell 3 years, 8 months ago
Huh? Did I read this correctly? The magistrate recommended that the woman exercise “a little more due diligence” in the future after being caught with 12 pounds of cocaine? Is the magistrate recommending she bring in “less” coke in the future? Or just hide it better?
As for the 5 months in jail— you can more than that for not wearing a mask. Jeezus, and folks wonder why the nation is in trouble?
trueBahamian 3 years, 8 months ago
I didn't get that artie either. 5 months for transporting 12lbs of cocaine. Wow! If you sell.coconut water on the street and can't pay the fine, I think you get the same.amount of time or a little more. We all know that under normal circumstances this translator years in prison. We send guys to jail for 2 marijuana cigarettes. She gets caught with 12lbs of cocaine.12lbs! The magistrate treats it like she stole 12lbs of Robinhood flour. Everyone involved in this case should resign and th eir heads should be examined. She may have been taken advantage of by someone and that can be factored in, but you can't say "oh, this little old lady shouldn't be treated harshly for this 12lbs of cocaine".
Someone say "banana" and I'll say "republic".
Clamshell 3 years, 8 months ago
Oh, slam ... good post. Yeah, coconut water, I forgot about that travesty. Bananas, indeed. Great, great post ...
bogart 3 years, 8 months ago
In nation decades faced with heinous evil cocaine drugs smuggling seems the continued disparities in dealing with persons caught with quantities illegal drugs.
Kudos to the workers at the bottom and frontline line enforcement without unbias or any prejudices to kinds of suspicious persons old or not, effectively, picking up on the old lady with duffel bag later confirmed culprit smuggling 12 lbs hidden in bag. Disparity with elites echelons in top seems the smugglers playing on sympathies bias, lbs of drugs with them using old ladies to smuggle cocaine and get light jail penalty. Seems systemic bias inequalness in system from top echelons dealing with persons with a few joints and old lady dealing with 12 lbs cocaine.
BobbyFlay 3 years, 8 months ago
NO VICTIM NO CRIME.
Why doesn't the Bahamas just decriminalize all drugs and open up to tourism. The fact the country is still putting people behind bars for cannabis is appalling. It should flip the script and legalize all drugs. Drug use is a heath issue, not a criminal one.
This would provide a tremendous opportunity for entrepreneurs on the island.
Clamshell 3 years, 8 months ago
OK, we’ll put you down as one vote in favor of legalized cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine. That sure would draw some ... well ... interesting tourists.
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