Kevin Greaves (left) and Nigel Registe (white t-shirt) at the Magistrate's Court on October 9, 2013. Photo:VINO

The Crown withdrew a charge of importation of a drug against defendants, Nigel Registe and Kevin Greaves, when the matter appeared before the Magistrate's court on May 6, 2013. Photo: VINO/File

Registe was charged jointly with Kevin Greaves of St Thomas after the two were allegedly found by a patrol comprised of police and other law enforcement officers off Trunk Bay with six bricks of compressed cocaine which amounted to over 6kilos when weighed.

The duo has also been charged for allegedly failing to declare some $13,514.12.

The vessel spotted, an 18 foot go-fast boat referred to as a Donzi, was pursued and caught before an officer climbed aboard to conduct searches, along with the alleged captain and owner of the vessel, Nigel Registe.

According to a previous witness, a black bag containing six blocks of cocaine was discovered during the search under the bow and the men were cautioned and charged for the offence.

Greaves pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of cocaine, possession of a controlled drug and failing to declare monies to Customs; Registe pleaded not guilty to the same charges. Both men also pleaded guilty to charges of illegal entry into the Territory.

Det. Richard Taylor took the stand first yesterday and confirmed having recorded interviews with the two accused as well as being present when the drugs were examined and weighed. It was also revealed that the cocaine amounted to over eighty percent in purity when tested.

Det. Constable Simon Power also testified that the men were allegedly found with three mobile phones which were analysed for evidential information. SMS messages were found on a phone allegedly owned by Registe. One message read in court stated, “You have to tell this man I have to get something out of this deal.”

An analysis of the SMS messages done by Officer Power was struck from the evidence tendered after an objection was made by attorney Stephen Daniels but Power was allowed to offer testimony in this regard.

Registe later took the stand in his own defence. A decision is expected in the trial on November 19, 2013.

See previous story posted May 6, 2013:

Crown withdraws importation charge against drug accused

- conspiracy charge remains; witnesses give testimony

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – The Crown withdrew a charge of importation of or being concerned with the importation of a controlled drug against two men; Nigel Registe and Kevin Greaves today, May 6, 2013 when they appeared before the Magistrate’s Court.

Greaves pled guilty to unlawful possession of cocaine, possession of a controlled drug and failing to declare monies to Customs; Registe pled not guilty to the same charges. Both men also pled guilty to charges of illegal entry into the Territory.

Principal Crown Counsel Tiffany Scatliffe announced that the Crown still intends to pursue a charge of conspiracy to import a drug against the defendants in addition to any other pending charges.

Customs Officer, Jaber George, was the first witness to offer testimony today when the matter was called and he stated that he was aboard the vessel, Defender, along with other law enforcement officers when the defendants were spotted off the coast of Trunk Bay on October 25, 2012.

He testified that there were no other vessels in the vicinity at the time.

The vessel spotted, an 18 foot go-fast boat referred to as a Danzie, was pursued and caught before an officer climbed aboard to conduct searches, along with the alleged captain of the vessel, Nigel Registe.

According to the witness, a black bag containing six blocks of cocaine was discovered during the search and the men were cautioned and charged for the offence.

Both men reportedly offered no reply when asked who the bag and its contents belonged to at the time. George further told the court that the men related that they were coming from Nesty’s (Jamal Forde) when they were apprehended.

George further testified that the defendants offered an ‘old manifest’ when documents were requested regarding their status in the Territory. Other officers were also called to testify during the trial today.