Canadian denied bail on drug charges

A  22-year-old Canadian man who allegedly tried to escape from immigration officers will remain in the custody of law enforcement officials for the time being.

Tyrel Antonio Clarke, Brampton, Ontario, was on Monday remanded to Dodds until February 7.

He is charged with importation, possession, possession with intent for him or some other person to supply and trafficking of a quantity of cannabis on January 27.

Clarke was not required to enter pleas to the charges which are alleged to have been committed in the District ‘B’ jurisdiction, where the matter has been transferred.

On the issue of bail, Station Sergeant Peter Barrow objected saying the accused could be considered a flight risk.

“One of the aggravating factors is that the accused is alleged to have snatched his documents from the immigration officer interviewing him and ran towards the exit to make good his escape but he was apprehended,” the prosecutor told Magistrate Deidre McKenna, adding that there was a likelihood that the accused may not turn up for trial even with conditions imposed.

Barrow also grounded his objections on the nature and seriousness of the allegations and the fact that Clarke is a non-national with “no local standing”. He said there was also a need to protect society “as it relates to those types of allegations”.

But Clarke’s attorney Harry Husbands argued that while the accused is a non-national, he can put forward a suitable surety “with a large amount” and commit to adhering to other bail conditions such as reporting to a police station as often as twice daily.

The defence counsel argued that stringent conditions could be put in place to address the issue of being a flight risk.

Husbands added that the serious nature of the charge was not enough to deny an accused their pretrial liberty, as anyone who is arrested and charged is facing a serious matter. However, he said his client’s charges are “not necessarily the most serious” of matters before the court.

Husbands contended that the charges were ones for which bail could be granted and that had it been a Barbadian faced with similar charges, “in most instances they would get bail”.

He also stated that Clarke, who had been to Barbados “four or five times” in the past, has an aunt who resides here and is an artist who has done work with local producers.

But after considering the submissions, Magistrate McKenna exercised her discretion in favour of the prosecution on several grounds.

“I deem him a flight risk,” she said before remanding the accused.