Businessman freed of ganja charges
Published:Thursday | October 13, 2022 | 12:10 AMTanesha Mundle/Staff Reporter
A St Catherine businessman, who was allegedly caught trying to ship approximately ship three pounds of ganja to St Lucia in two bike seats, was on Wednesday freed of the charges when he appeared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court.
William Dennis, 35, was freed of possession of ganja, dealing in ganja, taking steps preparatory to export ganja and conspiracy to export ganja, after the prosecution failed to advance a case against him.
Allegations are that on September 22, 2020, Dennis went to the offices of courier agency DHL on Haining Road in St Andrew to ship the items in two boxes to a family friend in the Caribbean island.
During manual checks, irregularities were noticed and on a closer examination of the boxes, vegetable matter resembling ganja was reportedly found in the bike seats.
The police from the Narcotics Division were summoned and the items were handed over to them.
Dennis was subsequently arrested and charged.
During an application for the matter to be disposed of yesterday, Dennis’ lawyer, Courtney Rowe, argued that the case has been on the trial list for quite a while without any substantial progress being made.
He also reminded the court that the matter was set yesterday for a final trial date.
Additionally, Rowe argued that his client has always maintained his innocence, having told investigators that he was asked by a friend to send the bike seats to the friend’s son, who lived in St Lucia.
Parish Judge Jacqueline Wilcott, after considering the application, offered no evidence against Dennis.
Attorney-at-law John Jacobs also represented the businessman.