By LAMECH JOHNSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
SEVEN men and a woman, some of whom police believe to be members of a major organised drug trafficking ring, were remanded to prison yesterday after being charged in connection with a $341,000 drug seizure on Eastern Road last week.
Ian Porter and Andre Porter, 45 and 42 respectively, appeared before Magistrate Andrew Forbes facing a charge of conspiracy to possess dangerous drugs with intent to supply along with Devon Campbell, 36, Zintworn Duncombe, 28, Ilano Noel, 21, and the 26-year-olds Jimmy Joseph, Sean Major and Daneal Knowles.
According to police, shortly after 6am on January 16, Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) officers went to a home on Eastern Road where they searched a Dodge Caravan and allegedly discovered 10 crocus sacks containing 341lbs of marijuana.
The discovery led to the initial arrest of four men and one woman.
It is alleged that all eight accused colluded to possess the drugs for distribution between January 4 and January 14.
Andre Porter, Duncombe, Joseph, Major and Noel were further charged with actual possession of the dangerous drugs with intent to supply.
All eight accused denied the respective charges they faced when called on to enter a plea and are scheduled to face trial on May 3.
As magistrates no longer have the discretion to consider bail for these offences, they were denied bail and remanded to the Department of Correctional Services to await trial.
However, they do have the constitutional right to apply for bail to the Supreme Court for pre-trial release.
Tai Pinder, Shaka Serville, Ryan Dorsett and Jomo Campbell have been retained to represent the eight accused against the allegations, which could see them facing seven years imprisonment if convicted.
Supt Ercell Dorsett will be prosecuting.
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