No bail for accused in counterfeit money case

A Corporate Area man aired his frustration before Chief Parish Judge Chester Crooks on Wednesday, stressing that he has spent almost six months in custody for a crime he did not commit.

"Me tired a dis man. A pon the grung me affi sleep, a true yuh nuh know. Me pain up from every angle, me tired a dis man," the accused man Anthony Heron related. Heron was taken into custody on September 22, 2023, following a joint police-military operation at a premises in Kingston 11. Allegations outlined in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court state that two 9mm rounds of ammunition and $105,000 in counterfeit notes were found in a room allegedly occupied by Heron.

"Me tired fi tell dem say me nuh have nothing fi do with it. A nuh my house, me just a stay with somebody. Me caah search up the man place," he added. Prosecutors contend that they are not opposed to offer Heron bail, but there is an issue with the verification of the address, said to be his grandmother's, where he indicated he would reside.

Heron, who was subsequently charged with unauthorised possession of ammunition and possession of counterfeit Jamaican currency, provided the address and contact of his mother. The matter was adjourned until January 24, to facilitate the verification of the second address provided by Heron. He was remanded in custody until then.

Prosecutors shared that the case file is incomplete as a statement from the Bank of Jamaica is outstanding.