Judge detects trend in drug finds at airport

Senior Parish Judge Lori-Anne Cole-Montaque has noted the frequency of matters coming before the courts, involving ramp attendants employed at the nation's ports being found in possession of large quantities of ganja.

"We are getting a lot of these cases lately, especially with the conspiracy charges. It is becoming popular," the senior judge said.

Her comments were made as two ramp attendants, employed at the Norman Manley International Airport, were brought before her to answer charges of possession of criminal property, possession of, dealing in, attempting to export and conspiracy to export ganja.

Allegations outlined in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court yesterday state that on February 8, at 3 p.m., members of the Narcotics Division and members of the Jamaica Customs Contraband Enforcement Team conducted a joint operation at the airport car park when the drug was found.

During the operation, two men were seen inside a car whose actions aroused their suspicions. They were accosted and searched-- along with the vehicle. A grey suitcase was found hidden in the vehicle's trunk, where 34 parcels and a clear plastic bag containing green vegetable matter resembling ganja. The weight of the package is said to be 51 pounds. The court also heard that $1.2 million in cash was also found in the vehicle.

The attorney-at-law representing the men, Artnel Grant and Christopher Cummings, submitted to judge Cole-Montaque that the vehicle belonged to Grant and Cummings was a "mere hitch-hiker, and got a ride from the roundabout."

However, the investigator rubbished the lawyer's claim, stating that it was Cummings who was seen with the vehicle keys.

Both men were made subjects of fingerprint order and were remanded in custody until March 5, when a bail order is to be heard.