The trial of five men accused of involvement in a major cocaine operation began yesterday morning in Magistrates’ Court despite submissions from two defence attorneys hoping to have the charges thrown out.
Jomo Jack, Hugh Erickson, Leon King, Gerry Freeman and James John are all charged with being concerned in the supply of a controlled drug and possessing proceeds of criminal conduct. The allegations stem from an incident in August 2012, when police allegedly found a large amount of cocaine and cash in Mr. John’s residence.
Mr. John also is accused of importing cocaine.
Defence attorneys Hugh Wildman and Valerie Gordon filed submissions to have the charges thrown out against their respective clients, Messrs. Jack and King.
However, Magistrate Dr. Velon John denied the submissions, explaining that the coming trial will determine whether the alleged cash is indeed proceeds from criminal activity.
Police officer Wendell Ballantyne was the first witness to give testimony. Mr. Ballantyne said he helped carry out a search warrant in Mr. John’s house, finding multiple blocks of cocaine in his two bedrooms, as well as cash.
All in all, 114 kilograms of cocaine and $392,000 were seized from the residence, according to prosecutors.
See the Sept. 19, 2014 edition for full coverage.