Lubrin granted bail on cannabis conspiracy charges

A 52-year-old St James man has been released on $30 000 bail after denying charges that he conspired to import and traffic over $170 000 worth of cannabis.

Appearing in the No. 1 District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court before Acting Chief Magistrate Douglas Frederick, Dale James Lubrin, of Crick Hill, pleaded not guilty to conspiring with another to import and traffic the controlled drug between March 1 and 31.

The alleged drugs weighed 21.7 kilogrammes with an estimated street value of $173 600.

But Lubrin admitted that on March 31, he was in possession of 30 grammes of cannabis. He pleaded guilty to trafficking, possession with intent to supply, and cultivation of the drug, valued at $150.

Prosecutor Sergeant Victoria Leacock told the court police executed a warrant at his residence and found eight marijuana plants in the backyard.

He told officers: “Dat is weed and me plant dem,” the court heard.

Defence attorney Sade Harris described him as an industrious man who operated his own business on Pebbles Beach and appealed for leniency.

Magistrate Frederick reprimanded and discharged Lubrin for the March 31 offences.

On the two conspiracy charges, he was granted $30 000 bail with two sureties, ordered to surrender his passport, and report to the Holetown Police Station every Wednesday.

The case was transferred to the District ‘F’ Horse Hill Magistrates’ Court for hearing on April 22.