Magistrate reduces bail for man charged with 7,650-lb ganja haul
ERROL Anthony Morris, the man who was arrested and charged in connection with the September 29 drug bust in Kingston during which 7,650 lbs of marijuana were recovered, yesterday had his $1.5 million bail reduced to $750,000, with three sureties, when he appeared in the Half-Way-Tree Resident Magistrate’s Court.
Morris’ attorney told presiding magistrate Judith Pusey that his client was having problems meeting the $1.5 million bail and requested that it be reduced. After a short deliberation, RM Pusey then acceded to the request and reduced Morris’ bail to $750,000.
The magistrate then set October 31 for the prosecution to secure an outstanding forensic report on the matter.
Morris, an electrician of Ontario, Canada, was picked up by the police following an intelligence-led raid at the house where he was staying, according to the Constabulary Communication Network (CCN). He was allegedly in the island visiting with relatives.
Morris is charged with possession of marijuana, dealing in marijuana and taking steps to export marijuana. Detectives investigating the incident are still seeking another man, said to be Morris’ relative, in connection with the seizure.
The raid, which was carried out at Bay Farm Road, also led to the seizure of a quantity of pharmaceutical items, including Viagra, the drug used by men who suffer from erectile dysfunction.
A spokesman for Operation Kingfish estimated the street value of the illegal drug at J$30.6 million on the Jamaican market, but said that the marijuana would fetch US$22.95 million in the United States.
Narcotics police believe drugs were linked to the drugs-for-gun trade between Jamaica and its French Caribbean neighbour, Haiti.