Men before court in $2 million drug bust

Three men, including one Vincentian, have been remanded in custody in Antigua following a $2 million drug bust.{{more}}

The Antigua Sun reports that Owen McDonald, of St. Vincent, Phoenix Webber, of Barbuda, and Kenrick Fenton, reportedly of the Point area, Antigua, are assisting law enforcement officials with investigations into the seizure of 1,405 pounds of cannabis. They appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Keith Thom in the St. John’s Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, September 4.

According to the Antigua Sun, the prosecution made objections to bail for all three men. The prosecution explained that the men were fishermen and since they have access to boats might likely skip the country if they are granted bail.

Reports are that on Thursday, 28 August, at about 3 p.m., a joint operation involving officers from the Office of National Drug and Money Control Policy (ONDCP) and members of the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force Coast Guard resulted in the seizure of the above mentioned quantity of cannabis, which has an estimated street value of $2,107,500.

Further reports are that the agencies involved in the drug bust were responding to information that a suspicious vessel was observed off the coast of Barbuda.

The vessel was seized and the drugs discovered.

Reports are that Webber and Fenton were intercepted at sea on the ferry and taken into custody.

The case is set for trial on 27 November.