A FITTS VILLAGE, St James man was remanded to Her Majesty’s Prison Dodds Tuesday pending sentencing for having liquid cocaine.
Fifty-one-year-old Larrie Thompson pleaded guilty to the unlawful possession of cocaine, unlawful possession of cocaine with intent to supply, and trafficking in the illegal substance. The estimated street value of the 1.03 kilogrammes of cocaine was $30 900.
The charges were laid last Wednesday after police searched the home of marine technician and found a plastic bottle labelled “Battery Life” with red liquid in the kitchen.
When questioned, the accused admitted owning the substance and was taken to the Oistins Police Station where he was interviewed and subsequently charged.
Defence counsel Amilcar Branche yesterday contended that it was his client’s first major offence and asked the court to be lenient in passing judgment.
He asked that it be taken into consideration that Thompson was persuing a certification through the Bombadier Recreational Products and was also hoping to travel overseas to complete the practical side of the programme in September. He also pointed out that Thompson who is married with no children, helped to take care of his 80-year-old mother.
Adding that he believed his client had the ability to bounce back from the mistake, Branche asked for a fine to be imposed and a possible bond.
Prosecutor Sergeant Derwin Thompson strongly objected to bail, stating the accused was already out on bail for a 2014 charge.
Branche argued that despite the value of the drugs, there were many who were caught with drugs at a much higher value and granted bail.
However Acting Magistrate Deborah Beckles denied bail and ordered that Thompson be remanded until August 3. (RA)
