BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – Trreval Hodge, a resident of Bronx, New York, and originally from Haynes-Smith Village, St. Kitts, has been sentenced to fines and potential imprisonment after pleading guilty to smuggling marijuana into the Federation.
On December 24, 2024, Hodge was jointly charged by the Comptroller of Customs and the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF) with multiple offenses, including:
- Importation of a Controlled Drug – specifically cannabis.
- Possession of a Controlled Drug with Intent to Supply – specifically cannabis.
- Submitting a False Customs Declaration.
- Importing Goods in a Manner Intended to Deceive a Customs Officer – specifically cannabis sativa.
According to the police force, after pleading guilty to the charges, Hodge received the following penalties:
- Importing Goods in a Manner to Deceive a Customs Officer: Convicted and fined EC$1,000, payable within three months. Failure to pay will result in one month of imprisonment.
- Submitting a False Declaration to a Customs Officer: Fined EC$1,000, payable within three months. Defaulting on payment will result in one month of imprisonment.
- Possession of a Controlled Drug with Intent to Supply: Fined EC$3,000, payable within six months. Failure to pay will result in two months of imprisonment.
- Importation of a Controlled Drug: Fined EC$3,000, payable within six months. Defaulting on payment will result in two (2) months of imprisonment.
As previously reported by SKNVibes News, on December 23, 2024, Hodge’s baggage was found to contain a suspicious vegetable substance, which was later confirmed to be marijuana.
According to a statement from law enforcement, between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., Customs officers, while conducting a routine inspection of delayed baggage being claimed by Hodge, discovered three packages containing green vegetable material suspected to be cannabis. He was immediately arrested, and the suspected contraband was seized.
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