KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent, CMC – Three St. Lucian nationals were denied bail on Wednesday when they appeared at the Serious Offences Court on charges of possession, drug trafficking, and conspiracy to traffic 22,243 grams of cocaine in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Dolton “Degree” John, a 32-year-old fisherman, of Castries; Moses “Laygay” Barbour, a 50-year-old steel bender/carpenter, of Vieux Fort; and Ezra “Will” Henry, 49, self-employed, of Castries, appeared before Senior Magistrate Colin John. They pleaded not guilty to the charges allegedly committed at Hamilton, Bequia between September 16 and 17.
The prosecutor, Renrick Cato, objected to bail, telling the court that the trio are non-nationals and that the prosecution was fearful that if granted bail, the men would leave the jurisdiction and not return for trial.
“St. Lucia is just across the waters,” Cato said, urging the court to remand the men into custody for a month, saying that the prosecution would try to get the substance tested by then, as is required when an accused pleads not guilty to a drug charge. The state has not provided a street value of the drugs.
However, defence counsel, Ronald Marks, said that contrary to what the prosecutor had said, Barbour is Vincentian by descent and his father lives in Barrouallie.
The lawyer, however, said he would not make a bail application then because he would have to establish sufficient ties to the jurisdiction. He said he would make a bail application when he gets the requisite information before the adjournment period elapses.
The lawyer said the other two defendants are St. Lucians but this does not bar them from bail.
He said the quantity of cocaine in question is substantial, adding that he would make a dedicated bail application within the month, if necessary.
The magistrate remanded the men in prison and set October 17 as the trial date.
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