By RASHAD ROLLE
Tribune Staff Reporter
rrolle@tribunemedia.net
THREE men and a woman were arraigned in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday for possessing drugs, estimated by police to be worth more than $1 million, with intent to distribute.
It is alleged that on July 29 Roberto Lewis, 41, Rashad McPhee, 27, India Cartwright, 39, and Trevor Leonardo Lewis, 23, were found in possession of cocaine and marijuana.
The suspects were also charged with having intent to supply and with conspiring to possess a quantity of dangerous drugs with intent to supply.
They all pleaded not guilty to the first charge.
However, they were denied bail as the second and third charges they faced must be dealt with in the Supreme Court.
Meanwhile, Justice Andrew Forbes sentenced one man, Sheldon Johnson, 33, to prison for three years and ordered that he pay $15,000 after he pleaded guilty to a charge of possessing dangerous drugs.
Johnson had first been charged with four others, but the prosecution dropped the charges against the others after investigations and Johnson’s guilty plea.
Officers said they were patrolling the south east Exuma area when they observed a 17-foot whaler.
After concluding that the suspects were acting suspiciously, officers beckoned to them to stop the boat, but the suspects declined.
Officers alleged that they saw Johnson throw two black bags overboard.
The officers caught up with the suspects and opened the two black bags in front of them, finding a quantity of marijuana.
The drugs were determined to be 50lbs and worth $50,000.
Johnson was represented by lawyer Wayne Munroe.
Seeking leniency for his client, Mr Munroe said Johnson had two children whom he alone supports, adding that his client is employed as a handyman.
He added that his client has one functioning kidney and no previous criminal record.
Justice Forbes nonetheless said Johnson pleaded guilty to a serious offence and attempted to evade capture when caught.
After considering the mitigating factors, such as the suspect’s age, medical condition and lack of a prior criminal record, he sentenced him to prison for three years.
He order that Johnson pay 50 per cent of the $15,000 fine by the end of yesterday and the other half by August 18.
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