UPDATE: Crown awaits tests in drug & ammunition find at Belmont Estate
Benjamin told the court that the drugs allegedly found at Brown’s home have not yet been tested but it is expected that this would be done before the next hearing.
Brown, a Belonger, pleaded not guilty to charges of unlawful possession of explosives, unlawful possession of cannabis and being concerned with the supply of a controlled drug when he appeared before the Magistrate’s court on April 12, 2013. He was unrepresented during his appearance at court today.
Brown’s representation was supposed to be sorted out following the previous hearing; as a result, Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards enquired whether he would seek the services of an attorney or represent himself. “At this present time I’m not certain,” the defendant responded.
When the adjournment date was first given, Brown expressed a desire for an earlier court date and stated he did not want the matter to waste the court’s time.
Magistrate Richards explained that the prosecution needed time to get the analyst from Barbados for the drugs to be tested following his not guilty plea and this was the reason for the time initially requested.
She told the defendant that he had a right to change his plea if he wanted to do so. “Of course if it’s your cannabis, you can always say… but you pleaded not guilty,” Magistrate Richards said.
Brown agreed to return on July 5, 2013 as chosen by the Court.
See previous story posted April 12, 2013:
Construction worker charged for drug & ammunition possession
- allegedly told officers drugs were old weed & that ammunition was found after raid at Bob’s place
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Treston Brown, 25, a self-employed construction worker of Belmont Estate, reportedly told Police that some of the marijuana he allegedly had was old and no longer of any use to him when it was allegedly discovered in his possession earlier this year.
The defendant, a Belonger, pleaded not guilty to charges of unlawful possession of explosives, unlawful possession of cannabis and being concerned with the supply of a controlled drug when he appeared before the Magistrate’s court today, April 12, 2013. He was unrepresented during his appearance at court.
According to allegations read by Senior Crown Counsel Sarah Benjamin, a report was made to the West End Police Station on November 7, 2012 which led Police to obtain a search warrant on the defendant. This was later executed at his home in Belmont Park on January 31, 2013.
The court heard that police officers went to the residence at approximately 6 A.M. and the defendant was informed that the Police had possession of a search warrant, which was read to the accused.
Benjamin further related that in the presence of the defendant, officers found a brown Timberland shoe box in his bedroom that allegedly contained a clear plastic bag with a large quantity of vegetable matter which appeared to be cannabis.
The defendant was reportedly cautioned and asked what the substance was. It was at this point that he allegedly responded, “I forgot I had that there, that is old weed, I can’t use that.”
He was subsequently informed that it was an offence to possess the substance and told that he would be arrested for same but offered no reply.
As the search continued, Police allegedly found two small clear plastic bags in the defendant’s room containing additional vegetable matter suspected to be cannabis. This was pointed out to the defendant and under caution he allegedly said, “This is for my personal use”.
Later, in a drawer on a TV stand in the defendant’s room, officers allegedly found one silver 9MM round of ammunition. The defendant was cautioned and allegedly said, “I found that and it was my intention to make a pendant for a chain.”
He was told by officers that it was an offence to have ammunition without a licence. He reportedly indicated that he did not have one.
Officers then allegedly found a second 9MM silver round but the defendant did not offer a response to this discovery.
On another shelf, the officers allegedly found a box containing several rounds of 9mm ammunition and this was shown to the defendant who allegedly said, “I found that on the cay when they were raiding Bob’s place.”
Another clear bag was allegedly found with what appeared to be more vegetable matter in the kitchen of the defendant’s home. He was reportedly cautioned and told officers, “It’s mine.” Additional vegetable matter was found in a small blue bag in the defendant’s bathroom closet but, according to the court, he offered no response to this discovery when it was shown to him.
The defendant was later taken to the Road Town Police Station where he was read his rights as a prisoner. The vegetable matter was weighed and found to be 385g and was estimated to be valued at $3,850.
An audio visual interview was later done with the accused and Police officers during which the defendant allegedly told Police that he found the ammunition and confessed that the cannabis was his.
Brown was later formally charged for the offences.
Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards offered the defendant $75,000 signed bail with two sureties and instructed that he report to the West End Police Station three days per week; his travel documents which were previously confiscated, were ordered to remain in custody.
Brown is to return to court on May 10, 2013.
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28 Responses to “UPDATE: Crown awaits tests in drug & ammunition find at Belmont Estate”
"Benjamin further related that in the presence of the defendant, officers found a brown Timberland shoe box in his bedroom that allegedly contained a clear plastic bag with a large quantity of vegetable matter which appeared to be cannabis."
Young and Old Fools, when you find yourself on the other side of the LAW keep your MOUTHS SHUT. Why does these IDIOTS continue to incriminate themselves and then plead NOT GUILTY? SMH. As soon as you LAWYER UP, meaning ask for a lawyer the comminication between the Officer and the suspect stops. Leave the explanations up to your LIARS or I meant LAWYERS. Gosh I tell you, these wanna beesssss are lame. Nothing you say will be use against you in the Court of Law...right? HMP
LOL LOL...u does hear ting in this place. If you goin l...i....e...please..make it sound believable.
#OnlyGodCan
Boss get a lawyer. That case is a push over we all know that but u need a good lawyer to put these c..ks.ckers in their place!