A Trinidadian, who reportedly went into hiding for almost two months after police found 52 pounds of ganja in his suitcase at the Norman Manley International (NMI) Airport, pleaded not guilty to breaches of the Dangerous Drug Act.
The man, Levi Josephs, 45, of Tobago, was remanded in custody when he faced the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday.Police report that on April 3, at approximately 9 a.m., police stationed at the NMI airport searched Josephs' suitcase and discovered packets of ganja wrapped in masking tape.
However, they learnt that Josephs had not boarded the flight and had reportedly fled the airport.
Nearly two months later, on Friday May 27, when Josephs tried to return home on temporary travel documents, he was held by the police and slapped with charges of possession of, dealing in and taking steps to transport drugs overseas.
The accused man claimed that his passport was in fact stolen and had applied for the emergency passport from the Trinidadian Embassy.
The investigating officer told the court that he was unaware if the embassy had checked the police reports before issuing the documents and he would need statements from them as well as from the NMI airport.
The matter returns to court on June 10.
