Four men who were arrested during a drug bust off the coast of Virgin Gorda on July 22, 2015 appeared at the Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday for the start of their trial.
David Straker, Donald George, Anderson Flax II, and Lindon Chiverton each previously pleaded not guilty to possession of a controlled drug.
During the bust, which was a joint operation between the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force and United States law enforcement agencies, officers intercepted the fishing boat Big Ting and the speedboat Avanti, and allegedly seized 86.30 kilograms of cocaine.
Senior Crown Counsel Garcia Kelly told the court on Tuesday that the prosecution plans to call nine witnesses, and expects the trial will last for four days.
The Crown’s first witness, RVIPF Detective Thomas Himbury, testified on Tuesday, telling the court that when he arrived at the scene on July 22, the two vessels and the four defendants had already been detained.
Mr. Himbury recalled that the four men were talking quietly amongst themselves.
“They were quite secretive,” he remarked.
The detective also recalled that Mr. Straker appeared to be disoriented.
“Mr. Straker was a little confused: He seemed scared, and he was also aggressive,” Mr. Himbury said.
The detective said he then spent a “long period of time” searching the surrounding waters for suspicious items that may have been thrown overboard.
The trial, which is presided over by Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards, is expected to continue this week.
Defence attorney Marlon Gordon represents Messrs. Straker, George and Chiverton. Defence attorney Patrick Thompson represents Mr. Flax.