– for North Ruimveldt ‘ganja’ bust

FOLLOWING the recent marijuana bust at North Ruimveldt by the Police Narcotics Branch, three family members were on Monday remanded to prison by Principal Magistrates Judy Latchman for drug trafficking.

Keith Barker, a 64-year-old taxi driver; his wife, Cheryl Barker a 56-year-old housewife; and their 25-year-old daughter-in-law Loretta Chisholm were jointly charged for having 42.5 kilograms of cannabis at their Lot 2925 North Ruimveldt home for the purpose of trafficking. All three pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Cheryl Barker was separately charged for having 628 grams of cannabis in her possession for the purpose of trafficking, which charge she of course denied.

Loretta Chisholm was also charged for having one kilogram of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking, and she, too, denied the allegation.

The family was represented by attorney-at-law, Dexter Todd, who made application for bail for the trio on condition that the couple’s son was allowed to take the rap instead and accept ownership of the drugs.

Todd noted that the lad, Kester King, who has a child with Chisholm, had told the police that the drugs were his, and that he was was willing to give a statement admitting ownership.

The attorney noted that on the day in question when the home was searched by the police, King was not at home and his relatives were arrested.

According to the facts presented in court by Police Prosecutor Quinn Harris, on the day in question, ranks from the Police Narcotics Branch went to the defendants home, and while conducting a search, 42.5 kilograms of cannabis were found stashed in a barrel, while other amounts were found in Cheryl Barker’s and Loretta Chisholm’s bedrooms in black plastic bags.

The prosecutor having strongly opposed to the trio being released on bail due to the seriousness of the offence, the magistrate remanded them all to prison until October 1.