Walker remanded on cannabis, cocaine, meth and money laundering charges

Attorney-at-law Arthur Holder today charged that his 39-year-old client has been hauled before the law court on several drug charges relating to an alleged discovery made by police at his residence in his absence.

Holder made the claim as he put forward an application for bail on behalf of Barry Omar Walker, a plumber, from Buckingham Road, Bank Hall, St Michael.

Walker is accused of possession of cannabis, cocaine and methamphetamine on August 28. He is also accused of possession with intent to supply and possession with intent to traffic the three illicit drugs as well as cultivation of cannabis.

The accused is also charged with engaging in money laundering in relation to the concealment of BDS$5 254 and US$550 being the proceeds of crime.

He pleaded not guilty to the offences Sergeant Verdon Forde objected to Walker being granted bail at this time pointing to the seriousness of the offences, the strength of the evidence, and the quantum of drugs involved.

The prosecutor told Chief Magistrate Ian Weekes that investigations were still ongoing and there were fears that Walker would interfere with the probe. He also stated that the accused was known for similar offences.

However, Holder said his client had a clean record since his prior convictions dating back to 2010 and 2014 expunged. “I can tell you that with a degree of certainty,” the attorney said.

He also questioned “what investigations” the police still have ongoing as his client was before the court, charged.

“He has been in custody since Monday. I don’t want to go into the strength of the evidence as I don’t think that this is the place for it.
“All the things that were found . . . were never found in the presence of the accused with a search warrant. All the items that were found, they were found in the absence of the accused . . . he wasn’t there . . .that is a fact”, Holder submitted.

He told Weekes that the prosecution never raised fears that his client would not turn up for court and stringent measures could be put in place to secure his appearance.

The Chief Magistrate however ruled against the submission saying that while Walker’s criminal record may have been expunged “this young man comes back on numerous drug charges including cultivation.”

He added: “With the volume of these allegations . . . I will study it further but at this point in time I will not exercise my discretion in his favour.”

Walker has been remanded to Dodds to reappear before the No. 1 District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court on September 30.