(file photo)
A marijuana seizure valued at nearly EC$80,000 has landed three Jamaican nationals in prison after police allegedly uncovered more than 26 pounds of the drug during a September operation.
Aljermin McLean, 25, Joshua Newton, 21, and Elvis Smith, 54, appeared in court and were jointly charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession with intent to supply and possession with intent to transfer.
Police say the three were implicated following a September 14 sting operation that led to the recovery of 26.4 pounds of marijuana, estimated to be worth approximately EC$79,000.
The men have been remanded to prison and are due back before the court on November 25.
The case comes against the backdrop of growing concerns about the number of non-national inmates at His Majesty’s Prison and alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne recently said Jamaican nationals account for approximately 15 per cent of the prison population. He also raised concerns about what he described as an increase in non-national inmates and alleged links between some of them and narcotics trafficking.
The latest case adds to the ongoing law-enforcement focus on the movement and distribution of illegal drugs in Antigua and Barbuda.
The allegations against McLean, Newton and Smith have not been proven in court. All three are presumed innocent unless and until they are found guilty.
Three Jamaicans in the same case got people talking, especially with all the conversation about non-nationals and crime lately.
If police keep finding these big shipments, they need to get to the people behind the supply chain too not just whoever gets caught holding it.
I always believe that when you in another person country, you should respect their laws and act accordingly.
One thing Gaston like to harrass them Jamaicans and not those criminals in office
I’m Antiguan but do we really have to emphasize the fact that these men are Jamaican? Doesn’t add nor take away anything from the story so why emphasize their nationality? I hate seeing this done to us Antiguans in other countries and I hate seeing it done to Caribbean people in general. This is just gonna reenforce stereotypes.