By PAVEL BAILEY
Tribune Staff Reporter
pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A 26-year-old man has pleaded guilty to drug charges related to an incident in which a relative claimed home camera footage showed police planting narcotics at his Carmichael Road home.
Delbert Bonimy admitted three counts of possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply before Magistrate Abigail Farrington on Friday. He was fined $3,500 or 12 months in prison and placed on one year probation, with a further one-year prison term if breached.
Police searched the Lake Lane property around 11.30pm on February 10 and recovered 16 ounces of marijuana and four ounces of cocaine concealed in wrappings across the yard, including near a banana tree, a wooden shed and inside the rear bumper of a black Chevy Jeep. The drugs were valued at $2,800.
After Bonimy accepted sole responsibility, charges against Devaughn Bonimy, 36, Dainette Bonimy, 61, and Kendesha Major, 26, were withdrawn.
The plea follows public claims by a relative that officers from the Drug Enforcement Unit planted the drugs during the search. The relative said a motion camera installed on the property captured officers in the yard and alleged they placed items there.
“The video shows where one of the officer put the drugs and put the drugs right by the tire,” the relative claimed.
The Tribune viewed the footage, which showed officers searching the yard at night using flashlights and, at one point, an officer placing a bag on the ground. The recording did not show what occurred immediately before that moment.
Police had detained two sons around midnight and later arrested the mother and a girlfriend. Following Bonimy’s admission in court, the others were no longer prosecuted.
Mark Penn represented Bonimy. Assistant Superintendent of Police K Bould prosecuted.
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