By PAVEL BAILEY
Tribune Court Reporter
pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A VETERAN police officer - who has now been relieved of his duties - and two Colombian men were arraigned in Magistrates Court yesterday accused of importing 181 pounds of cocaine and 31 pounds of indian hemp into Acklins last week.
Former Assistant Superintendent Sonny Miller, 45, who is also a former Police Staff Association chairman, stood before Senior Magistrate Samuel McKinney on eight drug related charges.
Asst Supt Miller was represented by attorney Bjorn Ferguson.
The two Colombian men - Christhian Garcia Aristizabal, 34, and Christhian Gaviria Aragon, 32, both represented by attorney Tonique Lewis, were also accused in relation to the same drug charge.
While all three accused faced a shared six charges for possession of, as well as conspiracy to possess and import dangerous drugs with intent to supply, only the Colombians faced importation charges.
Asst Superintendent Miller faced two counts of abetment to importation of dangerous drugs.
Sometime between May 9 and June 7 the accused are alleged to have conspired to possess and import 181lbs of cocaine and 31lbs of indian hemp into The Bahamas.
On June 7, the accused were arrested for allegedly being found with these drugs in Spring Point, Acklins.
In court, all three accused pleaded not guilty to all charges against them.
However, while Asst Superintendent Miller was granted bail at $100,000 with one or two sureties, the remaining two accused were remanded into custody. Aristizabal and Aragon were sent back to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.
The accused are expected to return to court on July 20 for possible reassignment of their case.
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