By LAMECH JOHNSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
A MAN awaiting trial in connection with the $2 million drug seizure that occurred near a graveyard in Grand Bahama appeared in Supreme Court yesterday seeking bail.
However, 30-year-old Chino Deal of Holmes Rock will have to wait another week to learn if he will be granted a bond after Senior Justice Jon Isaacs adjourned the matter to allow his attorney to substantiate the claim that Deal had not breached prior bail conditions.
The Tribune understands it is alleged that Deal did not sign into the Quakoo Street Police Station in Nassau after being granted bail in 2010 on a previous charge.
Devard Francis, Deal’s attorney, claimed that his client had asked the Supreme Court at the time, for a variation of bail conditions which would allow him to sign in at the Eight Mile Rock Police Station in Grand Bahama.
Francis suggested the issue arose because of an error, namely that client resided in Quakoo Street, Grand Bahama and not in the capital.
Senior Justice Isaacs adjourned the matter to February 13.
Two weeks ago, the Holmes Rock resident was arraigned before Magistrate Andrew Forbes in Court No 8 facing a single charge of possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply.
Deal pleaded not guilty to the crime, alleged to have been committed on January 16 in the same area in which he lives.
Shortly before midnight on the day in question, Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) officers and other law enforcement agencies acted on a tip that led them to the Holmes Rock graveyard area.
There, they discovered that a 42-ft vessel had come ashore and a number of persons were gathered around it.
When the vessel was searched officers found 42 sacks containing marijuana.
The drugs weighed 2,102 pounds, with an estimated street value of $2,102,500.
At his arraignment, the accused claimed he had gone to see what was going on when he was arrested by police.
He wanted to know why others were also arrested in connection with the seizure, but he was the only one who was charged.
Magistrate Forbes, in response, said that all the relevant facts of the case will be revealed during the trial.
He further informed Deal that he would stand trial on May 1.
Bail did not arise because the court does not have the power to grant bail on the charge he faces.
Commenting has been disabled for this item.