By PAVEL BAILEY
Tribune Staff Reporter
pbailey@tribunemedia.net
AN American man was fined $300 on Friday for possession of dangerous drugs as court proceedings continued against him and another American accused of illegally operating a fishing vessel in Bahamian waters on multiple occasions.
Prosecutors allege that Matt Vinson Blodgett, 45, of Miami Lakes, Florida, and Isfrain Miguel Ferreiro Jr, 30, of Hialeah, Florida, engaged in fishing activities in Bahamian waters aboard the vessel Rayne Check without a licence on 17 occasions between March 23, 2024, and January 12.
The men were reportedly found with three THC vape pens in Black Point, Exuma, on January 12. The drugs seized were valued at $60.
Last Thursday, both men were charged with 17 counts of engaging a fishing vessel without a charter fishing licence. They are to stand trial before the Supreme Court.
Ferreiro Jr pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of dangerous drugs before Senior Magistrate Raquel Whyms. The drug charge against Blodgett was withdrawn.
Defence attorney Sheanda Cooper-Rolle said her client had spared the court’s time with an early plea and asked the court for mercy. She said Ferreiro suffers from irritable bowel syndrome and used the drug to manage pain while at sea.
Ferreiro was fined $300 or, in default, one month in prison.
Following sentencing, Mrs Cooper-Rolle applied for bail on behalf of both men, submitting that neither had prior convictions in any jurisdiction and that there was no risk of witness interference.
Addressing concerns about the defendants absconding, she said Blodgett’s vessel — valued at approximately $500,000 — had been seized by authorities and that he intended to contest its forfeiture. She also said Ferreiro is a newlywed and that both men’s families were awaiting their return.
She described both defendants as “upstanding” and said they would comply with any bail conditions imposed.
Prosecutor Sergeant 2257 Wilkinson requested that, if bail were granted, conditions be attached and that the defendants’ assets remain confiscated until the matter is concluded.
Magistrate Whyms set the bail hearing for January 22. Both men were remanded until then.
In addition to Mrs Cooper-Rolle, Alphonso Lewis also represented the accused.
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