(Real News Antigua) Two businessmen, one from a prominent Arab family, reportedly
have been granted station bail for an indictable offence, and
concerned residents are asking why.
REAL News has received reports that the two business owners werecaught with a controlled substance worth over $100,000 at the Port.It is alleged that the Office of National Drug Control and MoneyLaundering Policy (ONDCP) conducted an operation at the DeepWater Harbour on Friday, July 21, and the pair were intercepted with an illegal drug.
It is further alleged that they were allowed to go free that day, but were picked up on Saturday, July 22, arrested, and charged.
Allegations are that the men were caught with 20 pounds of
cannabis which carry an estimated street value of $120,000.
Reportedly, based on the directives of a certain magistrate – and
within an hour of their detention – the duo was granted station bail
in the sum of $20,000, which is far less than the actual value of the
illegal drug.
It is important to note that the Police are not authorized to accept
money when granting station bail.
Meanwhile, the quantity of the drug found makes it a case that must be tried in the High Court; and, as such, the Police have no authority to grant bail for such offences – even at the directive of a judicial officer.
