By LAMECH JOHNSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
A MAN was arraigned yesterday in Magistrate’s Court in connection with the $2 million drug seizure that occurred five days ago near a graveyard in Grand Bahama.
Chino Deal, 30, of Holmes Rock faced a single charge of possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply when he appeared before Magistrate Andrew Forbes in court no.8.
Deal pleaded not guilty to the charge alleged to have been committed on January 16 in the same area in which he lives.
Shortly before midnight on the day in question, Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) officers and other law enforcement agencies acted on a tip that led them to the Holmes Rock graveyard area.
There, they discovered that a 42-ft vessel had come ashore and a number of persons were gathered around it.
When the vessel was searched officers found 42 crocus sacks containing what was suspected to be marijuana. The drugs weighed some 2,102 pounds with an estimated street value of $2,102,500.
Yesterday during the arraignment, the accused claimed that he had gone to see what was going on when he was arrested by police. He wanted to know why others were also arrested in connection with the seizure, but he was the only one who was charged.
Magistrate Forbes, in response, said that all the relevant facts of the case will be revealed during the trial.
He further informed Deal that he would stand trial on May 1. Bail did not arise because the court does not have the power to grant bail on the charge he faces.
Deal has retained lawyer Ian Cargill to defend him.
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