By LAMECH JOHNSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
TWO men were denied bail yesterday after being arraigned in connection with a $1 million drug seizure in Acklins.
Brian Hanna, 36, and Danny Hanna, 31, both natives of that island, appeared before Magistrate Andrew Forbes, each facing a charge of possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply and conspiracy to possess dangerous drugs with intent to supply.
Around 1am on Monday, police Marine Support Unit officers acted on a tip that led them to an area one mile south of New Providence, where they intercepted a 32-foot vessel with the two men onboard.
Officers searched the boat and report that they had uncovered more than 1,000 lbs of marijuana with an estimated street value of $1m.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges and will stand trial on February 23, 2015.
The men no longer face a mandatory minimum sentence of four years if convicted as the sentencing law was declared unconstitutional last month by then Supreme Court Senior Justice Jon Isaacs.
While the magistrate’s discretion in sentencing matters has been restored, he does not have the discretion to consider bail.
He remanded the pair to Her Majesty’s Prison.
He advised them of their right to apply to the Supreme Court for bail.
Both men have retained Roger Gomez II and Jomo Campbell to defend them.
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