A boat captain convicted in April of sailing with 56 kilograms of cocaine in the territory’s waters will serve five years in prison, a magistrate ruled Monday.
Senior Magistrate Valerie Stephens found Ronald Weisel, a 60-year-old American boat captain, guilty on April 19 of unlawful possession of cocaine, unlawful importation of cocaine and being concerned with the supply of cocaine.
Ms. Stephens gave him a five-year sentence for the third charge, and two three-year sentences for the first two charges. All sentences will run concurrently and take into account the nearly two-and-a-half years Mr. Weisel has spent on remand awaiting trial.
The charges stem from a Dec. 31, 2008 police search of Mr. Weisel’s boat, Captain Ron, which was near Salt Island at the time. Aboard the 39-foot vessel, police reportedly found the cocaine, which had an estimated value of $5.6 million, in a container at the rear of the boat.
See the June 9, 2011 edition for full coverage.