Jamaican Nabbed in Local Drug Ring

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Parent Category: Feb 2012

Category: Week end Feb 18th, 2012

Published on Monday, 20 February 2012 20:36

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A major drug trafficking ring involving a Jamaican connection has been broken into by members of the Financial Intelligent Unit (FIU), resulting in three persons appearing before a local Magistrate on Monday. The arrest of the individuals follows an extensive period of investigation by the FIU lasting over three months into the illegal exporting of cocaine from Grenada and using the monetary profits for personal gains.

Those arrested and charged are Pinero Thomas of Paradise, St. Andrew’s, Jason Gelliseau from River Road, St. George’s, and Jamaican Waynez Worth Bharrat. The suspects were brought to court on Monday where Chief Magistrate Tamara Gill denied bail to Thomas and Bharrat.

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Christopher Nelson who objected to bail being granted to all three men, told the court that the matter is a drug trafficking offense that is indictable and carries a maximum punishment of life imprisonment or a fine of $500,000.00. DPP Nelson said Thomas who is being represented by attorney-at-law, Anselm Clouden, has another drug matter pending in court and while on bail allegedly committed the new offense.

The court was told that a drug charge was slapped on the Paradise man in 2010 and he failed to report to the Grenville Police Station since November 2011 as part of his bail condition. It is not clear whether the police were on the look out for the bail violator.

DPP Nelson said while law enforcement officials are not aware of any criminal record against Gelliseau, investigation into the matter and involving other associates is ongoing and there is every likelihood that other persons could be charged.

The State’s Chief Prosecutor indicated that the case is based on the discovery of a major cocaine trafficking ring that is associated with substantial money laundering activities. Nelson warned that if any of the accused persons are released at this time, it has the potential to compromise the successful completion of the investigation.

Lawyer representing Gelliseau, Cajeton Hood raised some constitutional concerns with respect to his client. Hood told the court that Gelliseau was detained on January 6 and remained in police custody until he was brought to court one week later and that his client should not have been in custody beyond 48 hours.

According to the city lawyer, the 23-year suspect co-operated with investigators and gave the police a 15-page question and answer dossier during the course of interrogation. Although bail was denied to Thomas and Bharrat who appeared unrepresented by counsel, Magistrate Gill granted bail to Gelliseau in the sum of $75,000.00 with two sureties.

Gelliseau was ordered to surrender all travel documents and to report to the Central Police Station on the Carenage every Friday between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. The three drug suspects are due back in court on March 2.

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