By PAVEL BAILEY
A MAN was granted $6,000 bail in a Magistrate’s Court for alleged drug possession and laundering over $1,000.
Everton Leonard Wright, 37, stood before Magistrate Shaka Serville on separate charges of possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply and money laundering.
On May 1, Wright was arrested in New Providence after he was found in possession of 13 grams of cocaine with a street value of $780. The defendant is also alleged to have been in possession of $1,286, which was seized by the police as they suspected the cash was the proceeds of criminal activity.
In court, Wright pleaded guilty to the drug possession charge but after consultation with his attorney Ryszard Humes altered his money laundering plea to not guilty.
The defendant previously served nine months at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services for similar possession charges.
As part of his plea of mitigation on behalf of his client, Mr Humes informed the court that Wright was a father of three, including a 4-month-old baby, and the breadwinner of his family.
Humes further implored the magistrate to impose a noncustodial sentence in consideration of Wright’s early plea of guilt on the drug charges as well as the relatively minimal amount of drugs in his client’s possession.
Magistrate Serville then granted Wright bail at $6,000 with one or two sureties on both charges as the prosecution was awaiting further information on the defendant’s case.
Wright’s case was adjourned until May 6 for potential ruling on the drug charge.
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