MoBay businessman freed of cocaine possession

A Montego Bay businessman was today freed of cocaine possession based on several contradictions under cross-examination by witnesses for the prosecution.

Freed was 53-year-old Karl Reid who was charged with possession of cocaine.

King's Counsel  Peter Champagnie and attorney-at-law Richard Lynch, who represented Reid, submitted at the end of the prosecution's case that the chain of custody of the drugs was severely compromised based on the evidence given under cross-examination by the main witness.

The attorneys also referred to the contradictions in the labelling and sealing of the drugs and who had control and custody of the cocaine after it was seized.

Following the submissions, Parish Judge Larona Montague-Williams ruled that based on the compromise of the exhibits, there was doubt as to whether she could believe the police witnesses as to what took place on the day in question.

Evidence was given that based on an unidentified source, the police stopped and searched a motor truck on the highway leading into St Ann on July 4, 2020.

The truck was driven by Reid.

The cocaine was reportedly found under the floor cabin at the back of the truck.

Police witnesses said the cocaine, which weighed 40 pounds, was processed and taken to the Narcotics headquarters in Kingston.

- Barbara Gayle

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