MONTEGO BAY, St James – Errol Lamey, the People’s National Party (PNP) caretaker/candidate for the Mount Salem Division here in St James, is booked to answer drug trafficking charges today in the Half-Way-Tree Resident Magistrate’s Court.

Lamey, 44, is facing charges of dealing in ganja, attempting to export ganja, taking steps to export and conspiracy to export ganja.

The politician was held on Monday afternoon in connection with a shipment of drugs that was destined for the United Kingdom.

The ganja, which originated in Montego Bay and destined for England, was allegedly found during a routine inspection by narcotics agents at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston.

Lamey, whom the police said worked as a building contractor and who was involved in the construction of one of the Spanish hotels on the north coast, was held following police investigations. On Monday he was whisked off a construction site by officers from the Police Narcotics Division and transported to Kingston. Charges were laid against the politician yesterday.

Lamey was selected by the PNP to replace sitting councillor for the Mount Salem Division, Gerard Mitchell, in the next local government elections.