An allegation by Councillor John Wilson (PNP, Old Harbour Division) that some JLP councillors of the St Catherine Parish Council were dealing in drugs, sparked an uproar at Thursday’s sitting of the council.

The drama began when People’s National Party (PNP) councillors sought to ascertain from Mayor Raymoth Notice whether Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) councillor for the Mount Industry Division, Henry Fisher, who was absent from three consecutive council meetings, had been arrested in the United States on drug trafficking charges, or if he was still in hospital in the United States as was reported to council at last month’s meeting. The councillors also wanted to know if Fisher had resigned from the council.

Local narcotics police confirmed last week that Fisher had been arrested in Key West, Florida after he was allegedly found with six to 10 kilos of cocaine.

Notice told the council, however, that he had no documentary proof of Fisher’s arrest nor a resignation letter from him.

But the mayor’s response infuriated PNP councillors who began shouting across the council chamber, and accused a JLP councillor of lying for reporting to the council last month that Fisher was admitted to a hospital abroad after suffering from acute appendicitis.

“We as councillors demand to know from you, your worship, the true position concerning Councillor Fisher. We understand from the media that he (Fisher) has been implicated with three others in drug dealing abroad. This has cast a doubt on our integrity as councillors and has put all of us, the entire council in disrepute. Tell us, your worship, where is Councillor Fisher?” Wilson demanded amidst shouts from his JLP colleagues to shut up.

A heated debate ensued in which councillors from both sides traded charges and countercharges.

“I have the strongest belief that there are more councillors, many of you in here, who are dealing in drugs. So you can go on talk until you are caught. More councillors in here are doing it and it will soon come to light,” Wilson charged.

Councillors on both sides objected to the statement and called on the mayor to rule Wilson out of order.

Councillors became calm after a suggestion from former PNP deputy mayor, Denise Daley.

“One of our colleagues has been implicated in a very serious matter and we all are interested to know what has really happened. So the mayor should simply say, I will look into the matter and I will report my findings to council at the next meeting,” Daley suggested.

Notice then told the meeting that Fisher had not sent an official resignation to the council, and therefore was still recognised as the councillor for the Mount Industry Division.