By LEANDRA ROLLE
Tribune Staff Reporter
lrolle@tribunemedia.net
A 24-year-old man was arraigned in Magistrate’s Court yesterday on several drug related charges in connection with a recent seizure of $100,000 worth of cocaine.
Cohen Sands stood before Senior Magistrate Derence Rolle-Davis on December 22, accused of being in possession of 12.5 pounds of cocaine with intent to supply.
Sands is further accused of conspiring with others to possess and import the drugs the same day.
Officers also said the accused, while being concerned with others, imported cocaine into the country this month.
According to police reports, sometime around 3pm on the date in question, detectives from the Drug Enforcement Unit along with United States officials at the Lynden Pindling International Airport conducted a search on Sands.
While searching, officers found five sealed packages containing suspected cocaine.
Police said Sands was subsequently arrested.
During yesterday’s hearing, Sands denied all the allegations and his case was adjourned to February 8 and 9, 2022.
The accused was granted $20,000 bail with two sureties. He was also ordered to report to the Carmichael Police Station before 6 pm on Wednesdays.
Also appearing before court on similar charges was 34-year-old Whitney Burrows.
Burrows was arrested after police allegedly found him with eight ounces of marijuana valued at $480 on December 22.
However, during yesterday’s hearing, the accused pleaded not guilty to the charge and the matter was adjourned to February 2, 2022. He was also granted $500 bail with one surety.
In a separate matter, Tre Jahron Hamilton, 25, was arraigned on one count of possession after police found him with one gram of marijuana on December 21.
Prosecutor Sgt Vernon Pyfrom told the court at around 7.35pm that day, officers, acting on information, went to investigate a disturbance at a local store.
However, upon arrival, officers were directed to Cowman Lane off Malcolm Road after receiving additional information in reference to the suspects.
Officers went to the area and saw two men who matched the description of the suspects and subsequently searched them.
While conducting their search, police discovered a clear plastic bag containing suspected marijuana on the defendant who was later arrested.
However, police said while the defendant was being arrested, he cursed at them, questioning why officers were locking him up for one “ f—king joint”.
During yesterday’s hearing, Hamilton admitted to possessing the drugs and using obscene language in the presence of an officer.
Before sentencing, his attorney Ian Cargill noted that his client, who is self-employed, cooperated with police and did not waste the court’s time.
He also said the accused did not have any previous convictions and begged the court to not impose a custodial sentence so he could continue keeping a clean record.
In response, Magistrate Rolle-Davis asked the accused if he used drugs often.
Hamilton said he did so as a means to cope with his issues.
When asked to elaborate on this, the 25-year-old said he watched his friend die in his arms and noted that on the day in question, he smoked marijuana to clear his head.
As a result, Magistrate Rolle-Davis ordered him to be on good behaviour and granted him an absolute discharge.
He also told Hamilton not to take advantage of the opportunity granted to him, adding the court will not be so lenient next time.
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