No sureties for drug accused

Three St Michael men who were allegedly caught with over $1.2 million worth of cannabis in Barbados’ territorial waters have been remanded to HMP Dodds.

They are fisherman Christopher Dave Johnson, 36, of Martindale’s Road; coconut vendor Malo Anthony Edwards, 35, of Taylor’s Gap, Martindale’s Road and artist Colvin Ishmael Brathwaite of Brandons, Main Road.

Christopher Dave Johnson, Malo Anthony Edwards and Colvin Ishmael Brathwaite.

The three are charged with possession, intent to supply and trafficking cannabis.

Lawmen say they were arrested after officers from the Drug Squad and personnel from the Barbados Coast Guard intercepted a fishing vessel 27 miles off Needhams Point on May 17 and discovered 16 polyethylene bags which all contained a quantity of vegetable matter suspected to be cannabis.  The packages weighed about 300 kilogrammes.

They were offered $700, 000 bail each when they appeared before Magistrate Kristie Cuffy-Sargeant this afternoon but had no suitable sureties.

Johnson and Edwards, who are represented by attorney-at-law Kamisha Benjamin and Brathwaite will return to the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court on June 17.