The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A WANTED man accused of being an accomplice in a plot to smuggle $64,000 worth of cocaine out of the country was arraigned in Magistrates Court yesterday.

Conrad Campbell, a 33-year-old Jamaican of Coral Heights Estates who was arrested on Saturday – days after a bench warrant was issued – appeared before Deputy Chief Magistrate Carolita Bethell to face drug charges in connection with a cocaine seizure at the Lynden Pindling International Airport.

Campbell faced four charges in total – taking preparatory steps to export dangerous drugs, possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply, conspiracy to export dangerous drugs and conspiracy to possess dangerous drugs with intent to supply.

It is claimed he committed these crimes on April 19, with two others from Coral Harbour, dismissed police officer Toni Sweeting, 27, and her brother, 33-year-old Delano Sweeting.

On the day in question, DEU officers, acting on information, arrested the 27-year-old police officer and a 33-year-old man after they were found in possession of 3.275 lbs of cocaine at the LPIA Departure Lounge. The officer was on duty at the time. The drugs are worth an estimated $64,000.

The woman, a dismissed policewoman, and her brother, a pageant coach and franchise owner, were arraigned before the magistrate a week ago on the same charges when they pleaded not guilty.

Campbell also pleaded not guilty yesterday morning to the four charges and was told that he would stand trial on October 11 with his co-accused.

However, appearing attorney Krista Mason-Smith advised the court that the set date would not be convenient as she and her senior, Murrio Ducille, were scheduled to appear in a trial in the Supreme Court on that date.

The magistrate told Mason-Smith that if she spoke to the attorneys representing the remaining co-accused to propose another convenient date within a reasonable time, they could do so and appear before her court.

On the issue of bail, like the Sweeting siblings, Campbell was told he would be denied bail as the court did not have the power to grant the bond concerning the charges.

However, Deputy Chief Magistrate Bethell advised them of their right to apply to the Supreme Court for bail before remanding Campbell to Her Majesty’s Prison.

Last Friday, days after their arraignment, the Sweetings, brother and sister, appeared in the Supreme Court before Senior Justice Jon Isaacs seeking bail.

However, the judge refused to hear the matter at that time because of technical issues with their application. He adjourned the hearing to May 2.