TRELAWNY, Jamaica – Tragedy struck in Trelawny as two individuals lost their lives in a devastating two-vehicle collision on the Spring Hill main road on Tuesday morning, February 20, 2024.
The collision involved a Toyota Noah and a Toyota Axio. Emergency services responded swiftly. Passengers from the Noah were rushed to the Falmouth Public General Hospital for urgent medical attention.
This incident follows another fatal accident on Sunday, which claimed the lives of four individuals. In that incident, three individuals lost their lives at the scene, while the fourth passed away at the hospital.
A Parish judge is concerned about the frequency of drug finds at the airports.
The Honorable Senior Parish Judge Lori-Anne Cole-Montaque has expressed concern about the increasing number of cases involving ramp attendants working at the nation’s ports being caught with substantial amounts of ganja.
“We have been dealing with a growing number of these cases, particularly those involving conspiracy charges. It is becoming a prevalent issue,” remarked the senior judge.
These remarks were made during the appearance of two ramp attendants employed at the Norman Manley International Airport, who were facing charges related to the possession of criminal property, possession of, dealing in, attempting to export, and conspiracy to export ganja.
The allegations presented in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Monday, February 19, 2024, indicate that on February 8, at 3 p.m., a joint operation by the Narcotics Division and the Jamaica Customs Contraband Enforcement Team at the airport car park led to the discovery of the illicit substance.
During the operation, two individuals were observed inside a vehicle acting suspiciously. They were apprehended, and the vehicle was searched, leading to the discovery of a grey suitcase hidden in the trunk containing 34 parcels and a clear plastic bag with green vegetable matter resembling ganja.
The total weight of the seized package is reported to be 51 pounds. Additionally, it was revealed in court that $1.2 million in cash was found in the vehicle.
The legal representative for the accused individuals, Artnel Grant and Christopher Cummings, informed Judge Cole-Montaque that the vehicle belonged to Grant, and Cummings was simply a passenger who had accepted a ride from the roundabout.
However, the investigator dismissed the lawyer’s claim, stating that Cummings was seen possessing the vehicle keys.
Both individuals have been subjected to a fingerprint order and have been remanded in custody until March 5, 2024, when a bail hearing is scheduled.