By PAVEL BAILEY
Tribune Court Reporter
pbailey@tribunemedia.net
AN officer gave testimony in Magistrate’s Court yesterday in the ongoing drug trial of three men arrested for $3m worth of marijuana seized off the coast of Ragged Island.
Michael Miller, 52, Kingston Saunders, 63, and Romell Miller, 40, are on trial before Magistrate Samuel McKinney after they were allegedly found with 3,000lb of Indian hemp in open waters near Ragged Island on January 26.
They were charged with conspiracy to possess dangerous drugs with intent to supply, possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply, conspiracy to import dangerous drugs and importation of dangerous drugs.
Chief Superintendent Prince Charlton of the RBPF gave testimony of his involvement in the matter. He said that after receiving information about the accused at 11am that day, he left the Marine Support Base on Bay Street in a marked police boat bound for Ragged Island, along with other officers.
Once they arrived at the scene and met up with a marked US Coast Guard helicopter CSP Charlton said they saw a small craft in the water. Upon intercepting this white 36ft speed boat with twin 350 Yamaha engines, officers identified three men on board with Micheal Miller at the helm.
After informing the three men, later identified as the defendants in court, of the authorities’ intention to search the vessel for suspected dangerous drugs, several packages of marijuana were discovered onboard. Charlton said that 53 white sacks, along with an additional 53 rectangular packages and two carry-on bags full of Indian hemp totaling 3,000 lbs were seized from the go-fast boat. During their search officers also uncovered Bahamian passports belonging to the accused.
As the suspects’ vessel was taking on water, police safely escorted the vessel to Exuma and arrived at Elizabeth Harbour at 10.30pm.
A subsequent analysis of the drugs confirmed it to be $3m worth of marijuana, a package of which was shown in court identified by the signature and date CSP Charlton had placed on it.
This package was officially logged into evidence. After the completion of his testimony the accused had no questions for the officer.
The case was adjourned to October 14.
Commenting has been disabled for this item.