Brewer's Bay man remains in limbo over ganja charges
When the matter came up for hearing today, April 9, 2013 before the Magistrate’s Court, Crown Counsel Leslie Ann Faulkner expressed that Police officers of the Major Crimes Unit were still awaiting the arrival of the analyst who is residing abroad.
The defendant was charged with unlawful possession of cannabis after allegedly being found with four marijuana plants on July 11, 2012. Lloyd pleaded not guilty when he appeared before the court on August 17, 2012.
At the time of his arrest, he reportedly requested that Police officers give him a break after requesting to hide the plants he was found with.
Meanwhile, Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards expressed surprise today when it was disclosed by the Prosecutor that officers generally wait until there is a certain quantity of evidence to be tested before summoning the analyst.
“We can’t have Mr Lloyd and others coming here then,” Magistrate Richards said. She indicated that the analyst would come to the Territory to inspect another “big haul” of drugs and the situation would remain the same, meaning that lesser drug quantities would remain untested.
She suggested that the Police should either have the person test what is there or train someone to do so.
The prosecutor said the suggestion that someone should be trained had been made from time immemorial.
“It’s really not fair to the defendants,” stated Magistrate Richards.
The magistrate suggested that a final court date be given to the defendant since the matter was approaching a year without the alleged evidence having been tested.
The defendant also had additional pending matters before the court which were being stood down until witnesses in the matter could attend later in the day.
Lloyd remains on $10,000 signed bail with one surety regarding the illegal drug possession charge.
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