DONOVAN Fraser, a Mandeville businessman who was last August arrested and charged with conspiracy to export 108 kilogrammes of cocaine to the United Kingdom, was yesterday acquitted when he appeared in the Kingston Criminal Court.

Resident Magistrate Desiree Alleyne, in delivering the verdict, ruled that the evidence against Fraser during his trial - held during February of this year - did not implicate him as a participant in the export of the drugs.

"There is nothing at all to connect him with this offence," said the magistrate. She also told the court that she found several inconsistencies with the evidence offered by witnesses, claiming to be Fraser's accomplices.

"You may go Mr Fraser," RM Alleyne told the accused, who on hearing the verdict burst into tears while in the dock. The happy Fraser then went to embrace his family members who were present.

However, his joy was short-lived as the prosecution immediately gave notice to the magistrate that he had to face charges of possession of cocaine, dealing in cocaine and taking steps to export cocaine. Fraser is to return to court on September 21 to face these charges.

RM Alleyne then offered Fraser bail in the sum of $500,000, and ordered him to surrender his travel documents. A stop order was also put into effect for the accused and he was ordered to report to the Mandeville Police Station every Saturday between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm.

Fraser was taken into police custody last August, following the discovery of the 108 kilogrammes of cocaine in November 2004.

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