Luck runs out on Negril resident
WESTERN BUREAU — Negril resident and a father of one, Earl Murdock is to spend the next two years behind prison bars after he failed in his attempt to export more than two pounds of cocaine concealed inside a number of condoms earlier this year.
Murdock, 25, who worked as a chef, is also to pay the state $300,000 for the offence and if he does not pay the money, he is liable to spend another six to 18 months in prison.
On June 25, Murdock was stopped at the Sangster International Airport’s security checkpoint and then taken to the Cornwall Regional Hospital for an x-ray.
However, no drugs were found inside his stomach and he was taken back to the airport where he was asked to identify his luggage.
When asked to open the bag however, he said he did not have the key on his person but that it was outside in the parking lot.
He was sent to retrieve the key but never returned.
And on July 15 this year, he was apprehended by the Negril police and taken into custody at the Montego Bay police station where he was asked to identify his bag. He did, and this time the lock was forced opened in his presence.
In it, a number of items, among them nine condoms containing liquid cocaine were found.
Murdock was subsequently arrested and charged for possession of, dealing in and attempting to export cocaine.
When he was brought before the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate’s Court Wednesday he pleaded guilty to the charges against him, but his attorney, Roy Fairclough, asked the court to grant him leniency.
The lawyer told the court of Murdock’s daughter who was dependent on him for support even as he pointed out that the accused man had no prior convictions.
He also told the court that Murdock was from a “good, law abiding family” and asked the court to exercise its discretion in this case and not send him to prison.
RM Valerie Stephens acknowledged all the attorney had said but made it clear to Murdock he would spend time in prison for the offence.
For possession of the drug, he was fined $90,000 or six months. For dealing in it, he was fined another $90,000 or six months. And for attempting to export it he was fined $120,000 or six months and sentenced to two years imprisonment at hard labour.