BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – POLICE have announced that Treval Hodge has been charged with six offenses related to the importation of drugs into the Federation.
According to a media statement from the police force, the charges stem from a December 23rd bust at the RLB International Airport, where Hodge's baggage was found to contain a vegetable substance that was later confirmed to be marijuana.
A resident of Haynes Smith Village, Hodge arrived to claim his baggage, which contained the drugs. He was promptly arrested by the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF) and His Majesty’s Customs and Excise Department.
Police explained that between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., during a routine check of delayed baggage being claimed by Hodge, Customs officers discovered three packages containing green vegetable material suspected to be cannabis. Hodge was immediately arrested and taken into police custody along with the suspected contraband.
Later testing confirmed that the material was indeed cannabis. On December 24th, Hodge was charged with possession of cannabis and importation of cannabis. Additionally, he faces four charges from the Customs Department: submitting a false declaration to a customs officer, importation of restricted goods (specifically Cannabis Sativa), importation of a quantity of Cannabis Sativa, and knowingly attempting to fraudulently evade customs.
The police force and other law enforcement agencies have stepped up efforts to combat the flow of illicit drugs, as well as firearms and ammunition, into the Federation.
This latest discovery highlights law enforcement's continued push to tackle the growing crime problems in the country. While residents may legally possess varying amounts of cannabis, importing it into the Federation remains illegal.
