Bail extended for Sangster Airport's alleged drug quartet

The four Sangster International Airport employees who were arrested and charged in a drug bust last month are to remain on bail until January 31, 2022, when they are to reappear in the St James Parish Court.

Ramp attendants Tavon Murray, 28, and Romaine Kerr, 35, as well as aviation security officer Brelanie Reid, 23, and security supervisor Indra Waite, 43, were caught allegedly trying to smuggle 11.4 kilogrammes of cocaine onto an aircraft.

The flight was destined for Canada.

The accused appeared before parish judge Sasha Ashley on Wednesday.

Kerr is charged with possession of, dealing in, and exporting cocaine.

Reid is charged with breaching the Civil Aviation Act and conspiracy to export cocaine.

Waite is charged with conspiracy to export cocaine, possession of criminal property, and aiding and abetting while Murray is charged with conspiracy to export cocaine.            

Waite's attorney Henry McCurdy requested copies of several documents from the prosecution to prepare his client's defence.

“I am requesting all paperwork on the flight, so we will need the manifesto, the baggage reclaim sheet, the security guard deployment sheet, the ramp agent deployment sheet, the CCTV footage for the aircraft, the estimated time of arrival and departure time of the flight, and any other documents that would be able to assist us,” McCurdy told the judge.

In addition, Murray's lawyer, Michael Hemmings, made an application for his client's work ID card, which had been taken from him following his arrest, to be returned to him.

It was subsequently disclosed that the card was in the custody of the airport authorities and could be reclaimed from them. 

Meanwhile, the prosecution told the court that a number of statements have been requested from the authorities in Canada, where the cocaine was reportedly discovered after the arrival of the flight.

It was also revealed that the defendants' cell phones are to be submitted for analysis.

The forensic certificate and CCTV footage are said to be outstanding.

Murray, Kerr, Reid, and Waite were subsequently ordered to submit their fingerprints to the police before being allowed to leave the courtroom.

According to the allegations, on October 10, the four defendants were servicing a Sun Wing flight that was scheduled to depart the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay for the Toronto Pearson Airport, in Canada.

They reportedly conspired and placed a bag with 11.4 kilogrammes of cocaine, valued at US$570,000 (J$88.1 million) on board the aircraft.                

The cocaine was allegedly intercepted at the airport in Canada and one person was arrested in relation to the seizure.

Following top-level investigations, which involved the input of Jamaica's Narcotics Division, the four accused, who are all of St James addresses, were arrested and charged.    

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