PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – Trinidad and Tobago batsman Runako Morton and Leeward Islands all-rounder, Tonito Willet, were released from police custody yesterday after the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) met conditions for their bail on drug-related charges. WIPA president Dinanath Ramnarine also said that the two cricketers, who were arrested last Friday night, had since apologised to their families, friends and teams.
He said WIPA was assembling a team of lawyers to represent the two cricketers when they re-appear in court tomorrow charged with possession of 470 grammes of marijuana with a street value of TT$6 000 (US$1 000).
The two men had been granted bail on Monday to the tune of TT$100 000 (US$16 600) each, but spent the night in police custody after no one came forward to meet the conditions. The court had also given an alternative bail of TT$20 000 (US$3 330) cash each for the two cricketers.
“Yesterday when the magistrate ordered that they could get bail, we were trying to do it through a deed and the deed obviously needed certain clearance … and it took some time and it was not able to be done … but with the guys in police custody since Friday we therefore want to make sure they are out,” Ramnarine told reporters.
He said that arrangements have also been made for Willet to remain on the island until the conclusion of the court case.
“All of those arrangements are being made as we speak,” he said, noting that none of the cricketers would address the media.
Police said the two cricketers were stopped and searched during an exercise on Friday night and a black plastic bag containing the illicit drug was found in the vehicle.
The 32-year-old Morton, who has played 15 Tests for West Indies, is in his first season for Trinidad and Tobago after previously representing the Leewards.
Willett, meanwhile, is a seasoned first class campaigner and a virtual fixture in the Leewards side in recent seasons.