A Haslington seaman was yesterday denied bail by a city court after being charged over a quantity of cannabis that was found in air cargo.
Rawle Morris, 31, of 107 North Haslington, pleaded not guilty to a charge that he, on February 2, at Ekereku Landing, had 453 grammes of cannabis in his possession for the purpose of trafficking.
Regarding the circumstances that led to Morris’ arrest, the accused’s attorney told the court that on the day in question, a plane had landed with cargo containing packages bearing his client’s name as well as packages addressed to others, including a “Troy Hope.”
He stated that police had carried out a routine search on the plane and had contacted Morris about the box addressed to Hope. He further stated that after the box was searched by the ranks, they told the accused that the package was his.
Police prosecutor Deniro Jones agreed with the bulk of what the defence stated but said that Morris had claimed ownership of the box posted under the name.
Jones said that the accused was asked if he had anything illegal in the box, to which he replied, “Yes, I have some weed,” and attempted to bargain with the police.
Morris’ lawyer reasoned with the court, questioning why his client would claim ownership of a box he knew to contain cannabis and addressed to someone else. He then asked whether a caution statement existed to support the prosecution’s claims, at which point Jones related there was not but that an oral confession was given.
The defence’s bail application was denied and the accused was remanded by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan until March 21, when he is required to make an appearance at the Kamarang Magistrate’s Court.
