By LAMECH JOHNSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
AN EXUMA native was remanded to prison yesterday after he pleaded not guilty to any involvement in the recent seizure of $57,000 worth of marijuana aboard a mail boat.
Jermaine Smith, 39, of Stuart Manor, stood before Magistrate Andrew Forbes charged with a single count of “possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply” concerning the Thursday, January 21, seizure at the Potter’s Cay Dock.
According to initial police reports, shortly after 11am, a team of officers from the Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU), acting on information, conducted a search of a mail boat at Potter’s Cay Dock that had just arrived from Exuma.
During the search of the vessel, the officers found three boxes containing 57 pounds of marijuana.
Police alleged that Smith, upon arrest in Exuma and transport to the capital, confessed to packaging and boarding three boxes containing Indian Hemp on the vessel that was destined for New Providence.
The magistrate recorded a not guilty plea for Smith who initially pleaded guilty but had a change of heart after listening to the summary of the facts read by police prosecutor Supt Ercell Dorsett.
Smith was subsequently denied bail and remanded to the Department of Correctional Services to await trial on April 7.
A conviction for the offence carries a fine and/or up to seven years imprisonment.
In a separate arraignment, two airport employees denied committing a similar crime concerning the seizure of cocaine on Friday, January 22, at the Lynden Pindling International Airport.
Cordero White, 28, and Alex Turnquest, 38, both pleaded not guilty to possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply.
Around 1pm on the day in question, Airport Authority security officers conducted a routine search of a water truck driven by the suspect at the entrance to the ramp at the airport and uncovered four and a half ounces of cocaine hidden in the truck.
Both accused were remanded to prison without a bond and return to court for trial on April 7.
Supt Ercell Dorsett is prosecuting both matters.
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