The Tribune

By LEANDRA ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

lrolle@tribunemedia.net

A POLICE officer yesterday testified how one of the men accused of being involved in a near $1m drug operation in Exuma last year told the police on the day of his arrest that he “was just trying to make some money”.

Assistant Superintendent Adrian Knowles, attached to the Exuma division, reported the remarks while giving testimony at the trial of Basil Johnson, 42, Alfraido Poitier, 41, and Kevin Dean, 49.

The three men are charged with conspiracy to possess drugs with intent to supply and possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply after officers alleged they had $872,000 worth of marijuana in their possession on May 30, 2021.

The men have denied the allegations.

During yesterday’s trial before Magistrate Samuel McKinney, ASP Knowles told the court that around noon on May 30, he was on marine patrol with other officers in the area of Farmer’s Cay, Exuma when he saw a blue vessel heading north.

ASP Knowles said after the vessel was stopped, police questioned the two men on board— revealed to be Johnson and Poitier— about their whereabouts and whether any illegal firearms or drugs were on board the vessel.

ASP Knowles said the men told officers “no”.

According to the officer, a search was then conducted which resulted in the discovery of a “number” of croker sacks containing suspected marijuana.

ASP Knowles said the men were subsequently arrested. He added that while under caution, Johnson told police “Y’all got me. I was running low on cash.”

After the men were arrested, the witness said officers took the vessel and suspected drugs to Barraterre, Exuma where a more thorough search of the vessel was conducted.

Upon doing so, ASP Knowles said a total of 29 croker sacks were pulled from the boat, dated and initialled by him and later handed over to officers from the Drug Enforcement Unit.

Asked about the demeanour of the suspects, ASP Knowles said the men just “looked straight ahead” and added that none of the officers were able to identify them.

He also told the court that the suspects were separated after arrest.

Asked if the men told police anything while they were being transported to Exuma, the officer reiterated that Johnson told him “he was trying to make some money”.

However, during cross examination, Johnson’s attorney, Wendawn Miller-Frazer, challenged his testimony, suggesting her client never made those statements.

She further implied police had a hidden agenda when they stopped the vessel.

However, ASP Knowles denied Mrs Frazer’s assertions, arguing that police only searched the boat to satisfy their suspicions.

Meanwhile, Dean’s attorney Robyn Lyons questioned the speed of the vessel in question.

ASP Knowles said he couldn’t recall, but revealed it took a while for officers to arrive in Baraterre because there were some issues with the boat’s engine.

Tonique Lewis, who represents Poitier, also questioned the witness which mainly centred on police interaction with her client.

Asked if Poitier jumped in the water or tried to evade police, the senior police officer replied “no”.

Also asked if Poitier told police anything to suggest the drugs were on the boat, the assistant superintendent again replied “no”.

Sgt Alonzo Lewis also testified of his involvement in Johnson’s and Poitier’s arrest.

Sgt Lewis said he was among the officers who discovered the drugs aboard the boat and helped transport them to mainland Exuma.

“Aroma believed to be marijuana was emanating from the packages,” he said.

The police sergeant also said while questioning Poitier and Johnson, one of them, believed to be Johnson, told him they were en route to New Providence from Georgetown, Exuma.

He also claimed that both men told police before their search that there were no drugs or illegal weapons onboard.

However, Sgt Lewis said drugs were found underneath the boat’s floor hatch and he also noted that Johnson did not seem surprised when officers found the packages with suspected marijuana.

Meanwhile, Poitier, he said, had “little if anything to say”.

The case continues on February 17.