Man charged over cocaine allegedly found in car in St Elizabeth granted $1 million

A man who eluded the police for over a year after fleeing a traffic stop and abandoning a car allegedly containing cocaine in Middle Quarters, St Elizabeth was today granted $1 million bail with strict reporting conditions to the police.

George McKenzie, 48, a farmer of Airy Place, St Andrew, was also ordered to surrender his travel documents, and a curfew order was imposed.

McKenzie was charged in July with dealing in cocaine, trafficking cocaine, and conspiracy to traffic cocaine.

The police said the cocaine seized had an estimated street value of $1 million.

In applying for bail, his attorneys, King’s Counsel Peter Champagnie and Patrice Riley, challenged the police's account, arguing that McKenzie acted out of fear for his life.

They also contended that the vehicle in which the cocaine was allegedly seized had recently been loaned to someone else.

McKenzie is to return to court on September 17.

The police had reported that on June 19, 2024, a Honda CR-V driven by McKenzie was intercepted by officers during an operation in Middle Quarters, St. Elizabeth.

McKenzie allegedly abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene.

A search of the vehicle uncovered 4.4 pounds of cocaine in a secret compartment, according to the police.

McKenzie was subsequently listed as wanted.

After evading the police for over a year, he was apprehended in July 2025 and subsequently charged.

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