One Vincy, four Trinis on multiple drugs charges(+Video)

Four Trinidadians and a Petit Bordel man who were charged with illegal drug possession, drug trafficking and conspiracy to traffic, were posing for photographs as they were being led away to prison.

Damian Baptiste, Shaqkeim Bolah, Isaiah Phillips and Jayrun Abraham of Trinidad and Tobago appeared at the Serious Offences Court before Senior Magistrate, Colin John yesterday, October 7, 2024 where they were charged that on October 3, 2024 at Petit Bordel, they had in their possession 108,960 grammes of cannabis, a controlled drug, with intent to supply to another, and for the purpose of drug trafficking.

The men pleaded “guilty with an explanation” to both offences. They were also charged alongside Tevin Matthews of Petit Bordel that between February 1, 2024 and October 4, 2024 at Petit Bordel, they “did agree with each other that a course of conduct shall be pursued which if the agreement is carried out in accordance with their intent will necessarily amount to or involved the commission of the offence of drug trafficking”.

The Trinidadians pleaded “guilty with an explanation” to the offence, while Matthews denied the charge.

Prosecutor, Renrick Cato told the court that the men’s plea should either be guilty or not guilty, so the court entered a not guilty plea on all the charges for the Trinidadians behalf in light of their “explanation”. The Police Prosecutor then objected to their bail saying that nothing will stop them from fleeing St Vincent. Senior Magistrate John remanded the Trinidadians in custody until October 9, 2024.

However, Cato did not object to Matthew’s bail, but asked the court to impose several conditions. The Senior Magistrate granted Matthews bail in the sum of $25,000 with one surety. He also was ordered to surrender all travel documents, and report to the Chateaubelair Police Station every Monday between 8:00 a.m and 8:00 p.m.

Stop notices were also ordered placed at all port of entry and exit. His matter also was adjourned to October 9, 2024. As the men were being led away to prison, they used the occasion of being photographed to make several hand gestures.