By PAVEL BAILEY
A Magistrate’s court yesterday determined whether there was sufficient evidence for a woman to face charges of smuggling drugs into the country.
Leondra Adderley, 21, appeared before Magistrate Samuel McKinney facing two counts of alleged possession and importation of dangerous drugs with intent to supply in connection with an incident that occurred on March 1, 2020.
On the day in question officers conducting surveillance at LPIA customs informed Adderley that she had been selected for a random search of her luggage. She was then taken to the Airport Police Station.
It was there that officers discovered one of her two bags had a false bottom and a black compressed package was found.
Further analysis of the package revealed it contained 13.1 lbs of cocaine with an estimated street value of $90,000.
After the drugs were discovered Adderley broke down in tears. She is alleged to have told officers she had no idea she was carrying drugs and that she was only told to contact someone when she arrived outside the airport.
She went on to explain that while she was travelling back from Jamaica on Caribbean Airlines someone she identified as “Shanice” - a woman who was introduced to her by a friend - paid for her trip.
While on a layover in Trinidad she received the bags from a man named “Trent”.
Adderley further explained that she was instructed by these people to carry the bags for them. She was then told to contact another stranger in The Bahamas to collect the bags when she arrived.
Having evaluated the evidence Magistrate McKinney found there was sufficient evidence to answer to both counts against at trial.
When asked if she wanted to present her own testimony in court or elect witnesses to speak in her defence, Adderley elected to remain silent and be allowed time to gather her witnesses.
The case was adjourned to April 26.
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