Dominican Rawlins Rolle said he took the risk of bringing 671.1 kilograms of weed and cocaine into Barbados because he wanted the money. Today, that risk landed him 15 years in prison.
Rolle pleaded guilty on July 22, 2019 to eight counts, including possession, importation and trafficking of 652.5kgs of cannabis; possession, importation and trafficking of 18.6kgs of cocaine; entering Barbados by sea other than at a port of entry and disembarking without the consent of an immigration officer having arrived in Barbados by sea.
The offence occurred on October 1, 2018.
In outlining the facts previously, prosecutor Senior Crown Counsel Neville Watson said the narcotics section of the Royal Barbados Police Force (RBPF) received information and went on an operation with other police officers, the marine unit, drug squad and the Barbados Coastguard.
They journeyed to the sea at Brandon’s, St Michael where they saw a vessel on the shoreline. As they approached it around 5 a.m., they heard a number of explosions and saw sparks of fire coming in their direction causing them to retreat to safety back out to sea.
A land unit responded and saw a number of persons running away from the area, making good their escape though some bushes.
The area was searched and around 6 a.m. Rolle was seen emerging from the bushes in the area of Walmer Lodge, near the Esso Service Station at Black Rock, St Michael.
Rolle was stopped and informed of the suspicions and he admitted coming up from St Lucia on a boat and running away when the police responded.
He was interviewed and admitted bringing drugs from wSt Lucia with some men.
The court heard that Rolle had no prior convictions in Barbados but four in Dominica between 1998-2000 for theft, illegal entry and handling stolen goods. Rolle also indicated that he was arrested in St Vincent for exporting marijuana and sentenced to five years in prison.
In 2013, he was also arrested in St Lucia for marijuana offences and was subsequently sentenced to jail for seven years.
A pre-sentencing report spoke of Rolle’s family and social background, education and employment history and attitude to the offence. Rolle expressed remorse and apologized for breaking the laws of Barbados. he was not able to give contact information for his family members but said he was his parents’ only child.
Community members in Dominica described him as having a history of criminal behavior although some spoke of his friendly nature and helpfulness.
“You have been deemed as posing a high risk of re-offending based on the following factors – your multiple prior convictions for similar offences, your history of substance abuse, your admitted involvement with criminal associates, your low academic achievement, lack of steady and long-term employment,” Justice Pamela Beckles said.
The court considered an aggravating factor to be the nature and seriousness of the offences involving two “illicit narcotic substances” which are having a disastrous effect on our population and ruining the lives of our young and vulnerable people,” she highlighted.
Justice Beckles said the large quantity of drugs clearly suggested that Rolle was expecting to generate illegal profit. No mitigating factors were found in relation to the offences and the court indicated that it was satisfied that only custodial sentences would be justified.
The mitigating factors were considered to be his early guilty plea, apology to the court and cooperation with police.
“The court finds that the aggravating factors outweigh the mitigating factors, however, there will be no adjustment to the starting point,” the No. 5 Supreme Court judge said; considering a 15-year starting point.
He was sentenced to 15 years on the two trafficking counts and granted a third discount for his guilty plea leaving him with 3650 days.
The 770 days spent on remand were deducted meaning that Rolle will spend another seven years, 325 days in jail.
For the other drug offences he was convicted, reprimanded and discharged.
In respect of the charges of illegal entry and disembarking without the consent of an immigration officer, he was sentenced to time served. (TS)
