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'I was forced to smuggle cocaine'

Wed, Sep 15th 2021, 05:40 PM
Court Tribune Stories

A Jamaican man who said he was forced to smuggle $20,000 worth of cocaine into the country to prevent his family from being killed by drug lords was yesterday sentenced to 18 months in prison.

Police arrested Junior Reid, 28, after he imported 2.3 pounds of cocaine into the country on September 9.
#He pleaded guilty to possession of dangerous drugs with the intent to supply, conspiracy to import dangerous drugs and importation of dangerous drugs when he appeared before Magistrate Samuel McKinney yesterday.
#The court was told that around 12.50pm on the day in question, officers acting on information went to the Bahamas Customs Hall at Lynden Pindling International Airport. When they arrived, they noticed Reid, who appeared to look in their direction before acting in a suspicious manner. The prosecution said officers approached him and informed him that he would be searched for dangerous drugs and firearms. During their investigation, they noticed he was wearing compression tights. The court was told when officers examined them, they found four packages which all contained a quantity of cocaine. Reid was subsequently arrested.
#Yesterday, Reid told the magistrate he smuggled the drugs into The Bahamas “against his will.” He claimed he came from a poor family in Jamaica and was sent away for a better life. However, he said his mother and daughter still resided in the inner city in Kingston.
#Reid said a month ago, he was contacted by a mafia leader who told him he’ll have to transport the drugs to this country or his family would be killed. The accused said he was told if he “dropped off the drugs” his family would be safe. Reid said he didn’t bother contacting the police in Jamaica because he knew if he did, the gangs would automatically kill his mother and child. He also said he did not have the opportunity to contact any of his family members since his arrest.
#After accepting his guilty pleas, Magistrate McKinney sentenced Reid to 18 months in prison. He also fined the accused $10,000 and told him if he failed to pay the fee, he could risk spending an additional six months behind bars.

Police arrested Junior Reid, 28, after he imported 2.3 pounds of cocaine into the country on September 9.

He pleaded guilty to possession of dangerous drugs with the intent to supply, conspiracy to import dangerous drugs and importation of dangerous drugs when he appeared before Magistrate Samuel McKinney yesterday.

The court was told that around 12.50pm on the day in question, officers acting on information went to the Bahamas Customs Hall at Lynden Pindling International Airport. When they arrived, they noticed Reid, who appeared to look in their direction before acting in a suspicious manner. The prosecution said officers approached him and informed him that he would be searched for dangerous drugs and firearms. During their investigation, they noticed he was wearing compression tights. The court was told when officers examined them, they found four packages which all contained a quantity of cocaine. Reid was subsequently arrested.

Yesterday, Reid told the magistrate he smuggled the drugs into The Bahamas “against his will.” He claimed he came from a poor family in Jamaica and was sent away for a better life. However, he said his mother and daughter still resided in the inner city in Kingston.

Reid said a month ago, he was contacted by a mafia leader who told him he’ll have to transport the drugs to this country or his family would be killed. The accused said he was told if he “dropped off the drugs” his family would be safe. Reid said he didn’t bother contacting the police in Jamaica because he knew if he did, the gangs would automatically kill his mother and child. He also said he did not have the opportunity to contact any of his family members since his arrest.

After accepting his guilty pleas, Magistrate McKinney sentenced Reid to 18 months in prison. He also fined the accused $10,000 and told him if he failed to pay the fee, he could risk spending an additional six months behind bars.

 

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