BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – Ellia Jeffers, the government worker who was charged with drug importation, has been remanded to Her Majesty’s Prison pending her bail hearing.
The Lockhart Street resident – according to a police press release issued earlier today (Sept. 13) - was slapped with a total of nine charges following an incident which occurred on September 6, 2014 at the Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport.
The release indicated that “the keen observation and quick thinking by Customs Officers of Her Majesty’s Customs and Excise Department” led “to a collaborative investigation with the police which (led) to the discovery and seizure of just over a half a kilogram of cocaine”.
It further indicated that Jeffers was arrested in connection with the find.
She was charged by the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force with the offences of importation of cocaine, possession of cocaine and possession of cocaine with intent to supply.
She was additionally charged by Her Majesty’s Customs and Excise Department with importation, possession of restricted goods, signing an untrue declaration and making an untrue statement to a Customs Officer.
Jeffers’ legal counsel Chesley Hamilton told SKNVibes she appeared before the court on Wednesday (Sept. 10) for a bail hearing but time was requested by the presiding Magistrate for review of the evidence. He said his client was remanded to Her Majesty’s Prison and her bail hearing has been set for September 23, 2014.
The Commissioner of Police has praised the police and customs officers who were “instrumental in this investigation” and is suggesting that such collaborative efforts should take place amongst the Federation’s law-enforcement agencies “to safe guard the safety and security” of St. Kitts and Nevis.