The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

POLICE brought nine men - four Bahamian and five Haitian - to court yesterday to be charged in connection with the seizure of nearly $500,000 worth of marijuana.

When they were brought before Chief Magistrate Roger Gomez, only Haitian national Serge Pierre admitted guilt to the four drug charges he faced.

It was alleged that between April 3 and 4, he conspired with the eight other men to import and possess marijuana.

It was further alleged that the 23-year-old imported and possessed $459,000 worth of marijuana with the intent to supply.

After Pierre confessed, the prosecution announced it did not want to continue without a Creole interpreter as the accused's grasp of English is not very strong.

Prosecutors asked that the matter to be stood down until today at 2pm. Chief Magistrate Gomez acknowledged the request and remanded the men to prison.

Pierre's Bahamian co-accused are: John Pintard, 52; Davidson Fertil, 31; Mannix Ospin, 39; and Cannon Cooper, 42.

The Haitian nationals charged are: Joseph Joseph, 58; Ezekiel Ferlin, 42; Oles Alfred, 39; and Nelson Claude, 37.

All eight pleaded not guilty to the charges.