Free to depart the Federation
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE US billionaire businessman, Alkivaides ‘Alki’ David, who is facing three drug-related charges, had his previous bail conditions revoked and is free to leave St. Kitts and Nevis after his travel documents were returned to him this morning (May 14).
His new conditions were a cash bail of EC$300,000 and EC$600,000 with two sureties for his appearance at the Basseterre Magistrate's Court on Monday, September 23, 2019.
Despite being barred from this morning’s hearing at the Basseterre Magistrate’s Court, local media practitioners were privy to this information through a spokesman of David’s company – Swissx.
The spokesman said that David’s bail was increased to EC$300,000 and that following its payment and the return of his travel documents, he would be allowed to leave the Federation but was ordered to return for his next hearing.
The billionaire had arrived at the Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw International Airport early Tuesday morning (May 7) aboard a private aircraft with a cargo of what was said to be controlled drugs.
Following an investigation, David was arrested by members of the Anti-Narcotics Unit at the airport when he tried to leave the Federation on Thursday (May 9) and was subsequently charged with Possession with Intent to Supply, Possession of Controlled Drugs and Importation of a Controlled Drug into the Federation.
A police communiqué stated that he had appeared at the Basseterre Magistrate Court on the following day and was granted bail in the sum of $30,000 to be paid forthwith and a sum of $50,000 with two sureties.
He was also ordered to surrender all travel documents and to report to the Frigate Bay Police Station on a daily basis.
However, at his hearing this morning, SKNVibes learned that the police had taken evidence to court, which included a plastic bag containing an item wrapped in tinfoil and a small tray with what appeared to be cannabis seedlings.
This publication had also learnt that David was allegedly attempting to import seeds and seedlings into the Federation as part of a new business venture to develop a legal cannabis business in the Eastern Caribbean, including St. Kitts.
It was further learnt that the 51-year-old billionaire heir to the Coca Cola fortune had claimed that the cannabis plants and seeds were not illegal.
The company’s spokesman however said that the cannabis seeds would be returned to David, but the seedlings would be kept as evidence.
Additionally, the spokesman declared that Davis plans to continue his quest of developing a cannabis business on St. Kitts.
“He looks forward to continuing plans to develop the medicinal cannabis industry on the island and bringing new prosperity to its citizens.”
