Bajan men to return to court to answer drug possession charges

The four Barbadian men on remand at Her Majesty’s Prison since July on drug charges return to court on Friday.{{more}}

The men, Joel Erad Payne, 50, Shawn Boucher, 36, Ryan Corbin, 35, and Devon Hurdle, 38, appeared at the Serious Offences Court yesterday for hearing of the case.

But the matter was adjourned, following a request by the prosecutor, Inspector Adolphus Delpesche.

Delpesche informed Chief Magistrate Sonya Young that he was not in a position to proceed with the matter.

He said he only received the files on the weekend.

The four are charged with possession of 1,706 pounds of cannabis, with intent to supply it to another and intent to export 1,706 pounds of cannabis on July 13, 2012, at Fancy Point.

Delpesche said, having perused the files, there are certain matters that need to be taken up with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

“This is a matter we have been trying to expedite because they are on remand. The matter is relatively new and the tests have been done…” Delpesche stated.

He further told the court that five witnesses are expected to testify.

In objecting to the adjournment, the men’s attorney, Grant Connell, told the court it was strange that there were repeated adjournments when everything else was in place.

“When I walked in [courtroom] and didn’t see samples [drug], I knew something was wrong … To come and say the DPP has not seen the file, I can’t understand. The drugs have been tested, the witnesses are here. We are ready to proceed,” Connell said.

The magistrate told Connell that she is cognisant of the fact the men are on remand, but granted the adjournment.