KINGSTON, Jamaica — A race horse groomer who was recently arrested following a huge ganja bust in Kingston was offered $500,000 bail when he appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s Court Friday.

Curtis Richards, who is also a driver of a Duhaney Park address in St Andrew, was offered bail on charges of possession of ganja, dealing in ganja, taking steps to export ganja and conspiracy to export ganja.

The matter involves 1,198 pounds of ganja.

His co-accused, Kirk Watson, who is facing similar charges, was denied bail.

According to police reports, cops raided premises on Westminster Road on August 10 and found Watson in the back of a truck with several knitted bags containing the drugs, while Richards was seen standing near a motor car. Another man who was inside the car reportedly ran.

According to the police, Watson, when cautioned, said he was asked to transport the drugs to St Mary, while Richards said he was asked by the man who had run from the car to buy cigarettes.

In court, Richards’ attorney, Ernest Smith, told the court that his client was employed by an occupant of the premises who was blind and who depended on him. In addition, he said his client knew nothing about the drugs and was on his way to purchase cigarettes and to run an errand for his employer  when the police came.

Richards was then offered bail by Magistrate Maxine Ellis on the basis that his employer was depending on him and that his statements had been consistent.

Watson, who is represented by attorney Courtney Foster, was denied bail after the police asked the judge to delay his bail so that they could complete their investigations.

The men are to return to court on August 29.