Cop charged in $30m cocaine bust gets $2.5m bail

A senior police officer accused in a multi million dollar cocaine bust walked free on $2.5 million bail on Wednesday, after making his first court appearance in connection with the seizure of the drug with an estimated multi-million dollar street value.

Inspector Martin Walker of the Counter Terrorism and Organised Crime Investigations Branch (C-TOC) was granted bail in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court.

During the hearing, Walker's attorney, Christopher Townsend, argued that his client was not a flight risk, pointing to his 31 years of service in the Jamaica Constabulary Force and noting that he had been recently promoted. Prosecutors did not oppose the bail application.

Walker is to return to court on March 23. As part of the bail conditions, he was ordered to surrender all travel documents, while a stop order was placed at all ports of entry. He was also placed under reporting requirements.

Before granting bail, Parish Judge Sanchia Burrell reprimanded the investigative team for the late submission of the case file to the court.

Walker, who is attached to the Fraud Squad unit of C-TOC, is charged with conspiracy to export cocaine, as well as possession, dealing, and transportation of cocaine.

He was arrested on January 8 on Moore Street in St Andrew during an operation carried out by the Firearms, Narcotics and Investigative Division. Police reported that 12.5 pounds of cocaine, with an estimated street value of more than $30 million, were allegedly found in Walker's private vehicle.

Two members of the Jamaica Defence Force were also arrested during the operation but were later released without charge.

- Andre Williams

We want to hear from you! Email us at star@gleanerjm.com and follow @thejamaicastar on Instagram and on X @JamaicaStar and on Facebook: @TheJamaicaStar, or on Whatsapp @ 876-550-2506.