Evidence begins in cannabis trial

The trial of Walter O’neal Prescod, who denies charges involving 121.4 kilogrammes of cannabis found at sea, has begun in the No. 4 Supreme Court.

Prescod, of Emerald Park East, St Philip, has denied possessing the cannabis within the territorial waters of Barbados, importing it and having a traffickable quantity of the illegal substance on July 23, 2018.

Director of the Forensic Science Centre Marsha Skeete told the court that she received a sealed evidence bag from a police officer on July 30, 2018. It contained six transparent, resealable plastic bags holding vegetable matter that was analysed.

She said the material consisted of seeds, crushed leaves, and stalks from plants of the genus Cannabis.

Justice of the Peace Gary Alleyne told the court that on July 26, 2018, he was at Oistins Police Station when he spoke with a police officer about the accused, who was present with attorney Andrew Pilgrim.

Alleyne testified that he saw a police officer taking photographs of 40 packages, all of which contained vegetable matter suspected to be cannabis.

A police photographer also submitted an album containing more than 50 photographs to the court as evidence.

Acting Director of Public Prosecutions Alliston Seale SC and acting Senior State Counsel Paul Prescod are prosecuting the case. Counsel Sade Harris and Elan Greenidge represent the accused.

A jury, of five women and four men, is hearing the evidence before Justice Laurie-Ann Smith-Bovell.

(JB)