Christ Church man remanded on multiple drug-related charges

A Christ Church man was remanded to HMP Dodds on multiple drug-related charges after appearing before Chief Magistrate Ian Weekes at the District ‘A’ Criminal Court Number 1.

David O’Neal Willoughby, of Fairy Valley, has been charged with trespassing, going equipped, handling, possession, trafficking and intent to supply cannabis.

He pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

A police statement said that on Tuesday, August 24, the accused was on the compound of the Bridgetown Port, University Road, Princess Alice Highway, St Michael when port security officers on duty observed on security cameras three males traversing the inner confines of the Port’s compound in an area known as Reefer’s Park, which is located behind BICO Limited.

According to the statement: “These men were acting suspiciously and Port Security Officers on mobile patrol were dispatched to the area to investigate. On their arrival, two of the men were seen fleeing on foot from the direction of the docking area towards the ramps at the rear of BICO Limited.”

The security officers pursued the men who managed to escape. A third man, later identified as Willoughby, was discovered hiding in the area of the carpenter’s workshop.

Police said the accused had a grey haversack, that was searched and found to contain a number of items suspected to have been used in the commission of the offences. A further search of the area where Willoughby was discovered revealed several bags containing sealed packages.

“Investigations were conducted into the matter and sealed packages were examined in his presence. There were discovered to contain vegetable matter suspected to be cannabis with a weight of 12.30kg (12 300g), with an estimated street value of $98 400,” the statement said.

Willoughby will reappear in court on September 29.