Tourist found with 2 lbs coke in crotch area

A United States citizen who was allegedly found with two pounds of cocaine strapped to his groin area said he thought the packages contained money.

The man, Leighton Phillips, went to the Norman Manley International Airport on July 17, at 6:50 a.m., to board a flight, when anomalies were detected. A search revealed that three irregular-shaped parcels were strapped to his groin area. The packages contained a substance that resembles cocaine. He was subsequently arrested and charged with possession of, dealing in and attempting to export cocaine.

When he appeared before Senior Parish Judge Sanchia Burrell in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Tuesday, Phillips said he did not know cocaine was in the packages.

His attorney-at-law, Davion Vassell, submitted that Phillips thought the packages contained monies as payment for a property sold by his brother-in-law.

"His brother-in-law sold a property and was to give him US$50,000, and when he was leaving, the man gave him the money in the packages. He (Phillips) trusted the gentleman and he told the police that it was money," Vassell said, who sought to have his client admitted to bail.

But Burrell appeared unconvinced about the explanation offered on behalf of the tourist.

"You can't be a 53-year-old man and don't know the difference between money and coke. Two pounds of coke strapped to your family jewels and you think it was US$50,000 (approximately J$7.77 million)? Sir, you have to wheel and come again," the senior jurist said.

She also refused to release Phillips on bail after prosecutors indicated that he was in Jamaica "every week".

"The police need to investigate his travel history, they need to. I'm going to remand him in custody, and may I ask that the packages be brought to court. I think it will be very helpful. I want to see what you thought was money," the judge said.

Phillips was remanded until October 17 and it is expected that the forensic certificate will be brought to court. Burrell also requested a community report and made a fingerprint order.