Ralph James at the Magistrate's Court after his sentencing on May 24, 2013. Photo: VINO

The men denied bail were allegedly discovered with 567.72kg of cannabis on October 25, 2012 some 14 miles off the coast of Anegada. Photo: VINO/File

Ralph James as he was about to leave the Magistrate's Court on November 2, 2012. Photo: VINO

James, 54, pleaded guilty on November 2, 2012 to supplying or offering to supply a controlled drug, possession of a controlled drug, being concerned with the importation or importing a controlled drug and unlawful possession of cannabis with intent to supply.

The defendant, along with two others, was charged after allegedly being caught with the drug aboard a 50-foot sloop near the coast of Anegada on October 25, 2012..

Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards said she agreed with the Crown’s mitigating factor that the defendant’s early guilty plea should be taken into consideration and aggravating factors that there was a huge quantity of drugs and some amount of planning was involved in the activity.

The trio was discovered with 561.78 kg of cannabis, which had an estimated street value of $5.6M. Magistrate Richards said it was clear that a large haul was expected from the shipment of drugs found with the men.

James was sentenced to serve 7 ½ years on each of the charges with the exception of the possession charge, which he was given 30 months for. The sentences are set to run concurrently.

His sentence is set to run from the date he was first remanded.

See previous story poste January 29, 2013:

UPDATE: Jamaican drug accused Ralph James seeks leniency

- To be sentenced in February

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Jamaican Ralph James, 54, appeared before the Magistrate’s Court today, January 29, 2013 in an attempt to secure a lenient sentence for crimes he offered a guilty plea to in November 2012.

James was jointly charged, along with two other men, for the importation and possession of cannabis and illegal entry. The men were allegedly discovered with 561.78kg of cannabis on October 25, 2012 some 14.4 miles off the coast of Anegada. The alleged drugs had an estimated street value of $5.6M.

The father of six, who is also reportedly a freelance captain and boat engineer, was accused of illegal entry and was also slapped with joint charges of supply or offering to supply a controlled drug; possession of a controlled drug, importation or being concerned in the importation of a controlled drug and unlawful possession of a controlled drug.

The previously unrepresented James pleaded not guilty to the charge of illegal entry, a charge since dropped by the Crown. He pleaded guilty to all other charges.

His attorney Mr Patrick Thompson today, January 29, 2013 told the court, that he had been the one of a trio of men who had actually confessed to the Police from the onset about the incident that the group had been charged with and also cooperated extensively with the officers to the extent that he offered a ‘frank and full confession of guilt and complicity in the matter’.

The attorney asked that this factor be taken into account in addition to the defendant’s age and his medical condition as well (James had previously sought treatment during separate hearings of his matter for high blood pressure and a diabetic condition).

The defence recognised the quantity of the substance that the group was allegedly found with and also the stated street value of $5.6M and accepted that a period of incarceration was warranted for the defendant.

Mr James will return to court for sentencing on February 28, 2013.

See previous story posted November 3, 2012:

UPDATE: 3rd member held on 'ganja boat' pleads guilty to 4 charges

- Pleads not guilty to illegal entry; claims boat was not in jurisdiction for 24 hours prior to arrest

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Jamaican national, Ralph James, the third member of a trio of men arrested in relation to the alleged discovery of cannabis on a vessel that was found to be in Virgin Islands (VI) waters recently, appeared in the Magistrate’s court yesterday November 2, 2012.

The unrepresented James pleaded guilty to four (4) of the five charges placed before him; only pleading not guilty to the charge of illegal entry. Principal Crown Counsel Tiffany Scatliffe told the court that she fully intended to pursue a conviction on the charge. Magistrate Tamia Richards said that it was the Crown’s prerogative to do so.

The men were allegedly discovered with 562.78kg of cannabis on October 25, 2012 some 14.4 miles off the coast of Anegada. . The alleged drugs had an estimated street value of $5.6M.

Ralph James, who did not appear with his co-accused at their previous arraignment as he was said to be in hospital after complaining of feeling unwell, pleaded guilty to the joint charges of supply or offering to supply a controlled drug; possession of a controlled drug, importation or being concerned in the importation of a controlled drug and unlawful possession of a controlled drug. He has since been discharged from hospital.

After pleading guilty to the charges that were read, James interjected to say that they had no intention of coming here with the drugs but mechanical difficulties with their vessel forced them here. Magistrate Richards asked if the wind had blown the men here.

He argued that in his recollection, maritime law allowed a vessel twenty-four (24) hours to clear a jurisdiction before being charged with illegal entry and this time had not expired, hence his not guilty plea on that charge. Magistrate Richards explained that he would have an opportunity to fully represent himself at a later point.

His co-accused, Glenroy Pierre and Adrian Arthur, who were also unrepresented in their first appearance at court on October 30, 2012, both pleaded not guilty to the same charges. Their charges of illegal entry were separated.

Ms Scatliffe had told the court that when the men were discovered with the items, Officers asked whether there was anything illegal aboard the vessel and Arthur allegedly replied, “Marijuana... plenty… about a thousand pounds!”

Principal Crown Counsel Tiffany Scatliffe in relating the allegations said that on October 25, 2012 around 2:45 P.M. Detective Constable Primo along with other members of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force were conducting patrols along the north of Tortola and encountered a 50-foot sloop (sailing vessel) about 14.4 miles off the south of Anegada.

Officers came upon the vessel which was not flying the red ensign or any other territorial flag and a check was made with Her Majesty’s Customs and they confirmed that the said vessel had not obtained or applied for a clearance from Customs or Immigration.

Police, upon receiving that information used their sirens to bring the boat to a stop and the boat complied. Police boarded the vessel and introduced themselves while the men aboard the vessel identified themselves as the above-named accused.

The court heard that the officers then enquired as to how long they were in the territory to which the responded by saying a few days. They were then asked about whether an application for clearance was made and Arthur allegedly responded in the negative. The men were then cautioned and told that this was an offence at which point they were then arrested for illegal entry.

Police subsequently asked the men whether anything illegal was aboard the vessel and cautioned the men. It was at this point that Arthur allegedly said yes and told the officers afterwards “Marijuana… plenty… about a thousand pounds.”

He was then invited to show Police the location of the alleged drug. Police reportedly videotaped the proceedings.

Ms Scatliffe then told the court that drugs were allegedly found stuffed all over the vessel including the lavatory and were reportedly in crocus bags. The crocus bags were said to contain smaller bags of vegetable matter which was suspected to be cannabis.

The vessel was then towed to the marine base and photos were taken of what was discovered.

The court was also told that On August 31, 2012 the accused were on the said vessel in Antigua and requested clearance from St Martin to go to Jamaica. About two weeks ago they allegedly left Jamaica with their final destination being Antigua.

Meanwhile, when the men were discovered in the territory by the patrol group, it was alleged that they had ran out of fuel and were experiencing mechanical difficulties. When the men were intercepted they were trying to conduct repairs to the vessel.

Ms Scatliffe told the court that an audio visual interview was conducted with the accused (James) and he allegedly told the officers that he went to Tobago and was invited to go to Jamaica for the purpose of buying marijuana on August 10, 2012.

He met with a person(s) in Antigua on a vessel called the Grey’s Quest and on August 31, 2012 he went with the co-accused to Jamaica from St Martin, to collect Marijuana and they were on their way back to Antigua, when during the travels, it was discovered that the vessel ran out of gas and they were also experiencing mechanical problems at the same time which prevented them from sailing. She further alleged that one of the men had claimed that they arrived a few days before October 25, and were drifting.

At their previous appearance, it was disclosed that the other men also had audio-visual interviews conducted on October 26, 2012 and were subsequently charged with the offences. Checks made with INTERPOL revealed nothing against the two gentlemen that appeared before the court at the time and updates were currently being awaited. It has since been discovered that there may be some record against James at INTERPOL. Police had taken the men’s passports and it was observed that no stamps giving leave to be in the territory were present.

The Crown previously objected to bail for Pierre and Arthur based on the seriousness of the offences and their limited ties to the Territory. Ms Scatliffe noted that the mere quantity of the substance alone warranted the denial of bail. It was additionally stated that the analyst responsible for verification of the substance was out of the territory and not expected to return until another three weeks’ time.

When prompted, both defendants said they had nothing to say on the procedure being conducted and also anything in relation to the denial of bail request. They were both denied bail.

James was also denied bail and remanded to prison with the others. The trio will be returned to court on December 6, 2012 when the matter is expected to come up again for report.