British-Jamaican gets bail in drug case

After spending almost three months in custody, a 53-year-old British-Jamaican citizen finally heaved a sigh of relief on Wednesday when she was offered bail by presiding Judge Carlo Mason.

The bail offer, $350,000 with at least three sureties, was made in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court with strict conditions imposed. The accused, Mitzie Graham, must reside with a relative in the Corporate Area, report to the police twice weekly, and must not to be seen at the island's ports of entry or exit.

Graham is accused of having nine pounds of cocaine in her luggage, as she prepared to board a flight at the Norman Manley International Airport, in Kingston destined for London. The substance was packaged in nine parcels marked Lasco.

As Graham's freedom was being determined, her attorney-at-law Orville Morgan expressed his happiness as prosecutors told Mason that they had no objection to the diabetic patient being offered bail.

Graham, who is charged with possession of, dealing in, taking steps to export and conspiracy to export cocaine is to return to court on May 3.

- T.T.