THE Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) soldier who was allegedly caught at the Norman Manley International Airport with almost six pounds of cocaine is to return to the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on August 4.

Thirty-two-year-old Lance Corporal Sedona Maxwell, who was initially denied bail when he appeared in court last month, was subsequently granted bail in the sum of $1 million.

When he appeared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court last Wednesday, disclosure was ordered and a date set for him to reappear on August 4.

It was alleged that the soldier was in June attempting to board a flight destined for Toronto, Canada, when personnel from the Canine Division of the constabulary alerted detectives to a suitcase belonging to him.

The suitcase was removed and searched in his presence. The search revealed several false compartments which contained cocaine, the police reported. The police said they also discovered that cocaine was hidden in three souvenir cups the soldier had in his possession.

The illegal drug reportedly weighed 5.8 pounds and has an estimated street value of $3,351,600.

Queen’s Counsel Valerie Neita Robertson is representing the accused.

— Racquel Porter