Fugitive arrested on marijuana charges

Being a fugitive wasn’t enough to make Bert Ellis “Code” Williams keep a low profile.{{more}}

Instead, the man who escaped police custody in Dominica while playing basketball with other inmates last year, was brought before the Serious Offences Court on Monday, February 28, 2011, on drug charges.

Williams, 24, was charged with two other Dominicans in connection with a burglary last year at Greens Supermarket in Loubiere, Dominica.

Williams, along with Martin Luther Jno Baptiste of Newtown, Dominica, appeared before Magistrate Candia George in Dominica on November 24, 2010, on a joint charge of burglary, while Eustace Joseph of Point Michel, Dominica, was charged with handling stolen goods.

The Dominica News Online reported that Williams and Jno Baptiste were alleged to have entered as trespassers and to have stolen $17,130 in cash, $638.45 worth of groceries and a cell phone valued at $150 between 10:30 p.m. on November 19 and 3:30 p.m. on November 20, 2010.

Williams was not granted bail in the Dominica matter, as he was considered a flight risk. He, however, escaped custody late in November 2010.

Williams has now been jointly charged with Abasia Humphrey of Bayroad, Georgetown, St. Vincent, for possession of 21,792 grams of cannabis on February 27, 2011, in the Locust Mountains.

Both men pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Humphrey was also slapped with another charge. He pleaded not guilty to having a .22 semi-automatic pistol and five rounds of .22 ammunition on February 26 at the same location.

He was granted bail in the sum of $30,000 and has to report to the Georgetown Police Station on Mondays and Fridays. He was also ordered to surrender all travel documents.

Williams’ bail was set at $20,000 and he was ordered to report to the Georgetown Police Station on Mondays.

After Magistrate Sonya Young had set Williams’ bail, Director of Public Prosecutions Colin Williams indicated to the court that Williams was involved in other court matters. Young noted that her hands were tied since she had already set bail and advised the DPP that he could take matter to the High Court.

The drug and gun matter was adjourned to May 9, 2011.(KW)