Narcotics cop freed of attempting to pervert the course of justice

A narcotics policeman accused of turning a blind eye to ganja discovered in the suitcase of a British man at the Norman Manley International Airport was today freed in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court.

Constable Chadwick Bowen was found not guilty of attempting to pervert the course of justice by Chief Parish Judge Chester Crooks.

The prosecution had alleged that while on duty at the airport on January 19, 2015, Bowen was informed by a canine police dog of the presence of drugs in the luggage of the British traveller.

They claimed that Bowen proceeded to open the suitcase, which allegedly contained 11.2 pounds of ganja, and allowed the British man to continue to the boarding gate.

The passenger was stopped by another cop who discovered the ganja and arrested him.    

Bowen was charged following a ruling by the Director of Public Prosecutions.

However, during the trial, defence attorneys Peter Champagnie KC and Samoi Campbell cross-examined the prosecution's witnesses and it was revealed that no one actually saw Bowen opening the suitcase.

It was further revealed that police officers have discretion not to search persons once the answers the person gives to questions asked are satisfactory.

Additionally, the investigating officer shared that the British national, who was found with the ganja, stated that he did not know Bowen.

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