CHARLESTOWN, Nevis – A Nevisian was today (Mar. 20) found guilty on two counts of drug possession after he was caught on Pinney’s Beach by a foot patrol including members of the Delta Squad, who suspected that his intention was to sell a quantity of controlled drugs there.
Melroy Martin of Craddock Road, Charlestown appeared this morning at the Charlestown Magistrate’s Court, charged with possession of cannabis and possession of cannabis with intent to supply.
According to the facts of the case, Corporal Carl Greaux of the Delta Squad told the court that at approximately 9:45 p.m. on Thursday, March 1, 2012 while members of the Delta Squad were conducting a foot patrol on Pinney’s Beach in the vicinity of Sunshine Bar, he saw Martin acting in a suspicious manner.
“I started walking towards the defendant and I noticed that it appeared as if he was trying to hide something by pushing his hand into his pants that he was wearing. I immediately shouted ‘police, I suspect you of having controlled drugs and I want to search you.'”
Greaux told the court that Martin started running towards the Caribbean Sea and that he and another officer gave chase.
The Corporal said he went into the sea and retrieved the object, which was afloat, and found it to be a small transparent bag containing what appeared to be cannabis and also a small bag made of cloth within which were a number of rolled cigarettes also suspected to be cannabis.
Greaux also said that he arrested Martin on suspicion of being in possession of cannabis and took him to the Cotton Ground Police Station, where he read him his rights. “I showed him the items and he said, ‘Boss-man dem thing ain’t mines’.”
At about 8:00 a.m. on the following day, Greaux said he took Martin to the Charlestown Police Station, reminded him of his rights to an attorney, to which he claimed the defendant replied, “Do what you got to do.”
Greaux told the court that he enveloped the items and took them for analysis at a laboratory in St. Kitts.
Martin was subsequently charged with possession of cannabis and possession of cannabis with intent to supply.
The magistrate found Martin guilty on both charges and fined him EC$5 000 to be paid in six months. If in default, he will have to serve a 12-month sentence at Her Majesty’s Prison.
