Cop on guns-for-drug charge remanded
THE police constable assigned to the VIP Protective Division of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), who is implicated in the guns-for-drug trade, was on Tuesday remanded in custody when he appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s Court.
Constable Kenneth Reid was remanded after Senior Magistrate Judith Pusey told his attorney Peter Champagnie to stay his bail application until August 10, pending an outstanding Communication, Forensic and Cybercrimes Unit (CFCU) report that was promised on the last occasion.
“There is not sufficient info before the court to reasonably make a decision, but I believe by August 10 it should be,” Pusey said.
The court was told that additional information has surfaced since the last court date. The court also heard that there are pictures of guns and voice notes on the cellular phone that are to be extracted.
But Champagnie argued that pictures of guns in the phone, without more, wouldn’t affect the case and that pictures of guns could be found in his (Champagnie’s) phone as well.
On another note, Champaignie argued that the charge, providing a benefit to a criminal organisation falls under the jurisdiction to the High Court.
Attorney Lance Clarke — who is representing Sheldon Walters, one of Reid’s co-accused — lamented the fact that the CFCU report was still outstanding.
“The police keep on giving us promises. Same scratch record and it is frustrated. I am hoping that on the next occasion we will have full disclosure,” Clarke said.
Reid, Walters and Kerry-Ann Smith were charged on May 29 under Criminal Justice Suppression of Criminal Organisation Act 2014 and the Anti-Gang Act.
All three were charged for being members of a criminal organisation.
Reid is facing an additional charge of providing a benefit to a criminal organisation.
Reports are that on various dates the suspects conspired to engage in the drugs-for-guns trade between criminal elements in the Republic of Haiti and Jamaica.
Walters, who is allegedly known to be a significant member of one of the major gangs operating in St Catherine, and Smith, are both from Kitson Town in the parish.
— Racquel Porter