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Johnson’s Ghut drug bust: $100K cocaine found in dog food box, $300K bail offered!
Elroy OKeiffe made his first court appearance and pleaded not guilty to the unlawful possession of cocaine and unlawful possession with the intent to supply.
Moments ago, he was granted bail by Magistrate Tamia Richards in the sum of $300,000 of which $200,000 is signed surety and $100,000 cash. If he posts bail, the 26 year-old businessman has to report to the Road Town Police Station everyday between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.
He has to return to court on June 27, 2012.
In giving the facts of the case, Senior Crown Counsel Benjamin told the court that Police, acting on a tip went to OKeiffe’s home on Wednesday April 18, 2012 with a search warrant around 9:30 a.m.
Two officers carried out the search, which concluded at 11:05 a.m., and the first thing they found was a testing kit in his clothing drawer. When confronted with the kit, the defendant allegedly made no reply.
The search continued and officers found a bag containing a dog food box hidden under some clothing in the drawer. Inside the box was a hard white substance officers suspected to be cocaine. When asked about the substance, OKeiffe allegedly told officers, “I don’t know. I found it by my boat.”
A set of electronic scales were found on the top of the refrigerator, and when asked about it the defendant allegedly stated, “I weigh medicine on those scales.”
A further search in the kitchen unearthed two white plastic bags containing white powder; a petri dish with some white powder and a plastic tub containing some white substance. Interestingly, the 26 year-old Virgin Islander informed officers that the substance was “flour and sugar”.
Senior Crown Counsel Benjamin also told the court that the street value for the suspected substance is $100,000.
OKeiffe’s explanationIn an audio and video interview with officers, the defendant allegedly told them that on Monday April 16 he had “visited his boat that was on dry-dock in Baughers Bay”. While clearing the weeds around his boat he claimed saw a package nearby wrapped in a plastic bag.
Being curious he said he picked up and looked into the bag, and saw another plastic bag and upon opening it observed a milk bone dog biscuit box. According to OKeiffe, inside the box was a white block of substance that he suspected to be cocaine.
The accused man allegedly told officers that he decided to take home the substance to conduct some queries and had intended to give it to a friend. Explaining where he got the scale, OKeiffe allegedly responded he found it on the road a few years ago.
He allegedly admitted that it was foolish of him to take the package.
Attorney Stephen Daniels in his bail application had indicated to the Court that his client is a businessman who purchases, sells and services vehicles. He added that OKeiffe has strong ties to the VI and had relatives who are willing to sign surety.
Daniels also noted that OKeiffe has no previous convictions.
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