GRENADIAN CAPTAIN DENIED BAIL
TrinidadandTobagoExpress

Port of Spain,  July 1st 2009 -- A Grenadian national was denied bail on Monday, after he appeared before a Port of Spain magistrate charged with importing and being in possession of a kilogramme of cocaine.

Devon Noel, 45, a boat captain, was arrested on the Caricom Jetty in Port of Spain on June 25. He was taken into custody that day after a Customs and Excise officer searched his vessel and found the narcotics.

He was also taken to the Organised Crime, Narcotics and Firearms Bureau where two charges - importing a prohibited substance and possession of a kilogramme of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking - were laid against him. On Monday, he appeared before Magistrate Brian Dabideen.

Attorney Patrick Godson-Phillips appeared on his behalf and requested bail for his client, citing that other Caricom nationals arrested in Trinidad and Tobago have been granted bail in the past.

Sgt Alva Gordon, the police prosecutor, argued that Noel had no ties to this country and there was the likelihood that he could abscond if indeed he was granted bail.
 
In the end, Magistrate Dabideen agreed with the prosecutor and refused bail. He advised Noel that he could apply to a judge-in-chambers for bail.