MONTEGO BAY, St James — The absence of a prosecution witness on Tuesday halted the continuation of the trial of three Sangster International Airport employees accused of attempting to smuggle 11.4 kilograms of cocaine onto a flight bound for Canada.

Indra Waite, Brelanie Reid and Romaine Kerr are facing several charges under the Dangerous Drugs Act.

They are represented by attorneys-at-law Martyn Thomas, Charles Sinclair and Henry McCurdy respectively.

The three defendants were expected to have the third day of their trial in the St James Parish Court, but the case could not proceed due to the illness of Detective Sergeant James Dawes from the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Narcotics Division. He was scheduled to continue giving evidence.

The court was also informed that several documents that were supposed to arrive from Canada are still outstanding.

However, this did not sit well with the three lawyers who contended that the matter had been dragging on for far too long with no resolution.

The attorneys argued that the prosecution should get their house in order and decide whether they are going to continue the case or do the right thing and dismiss it for want of prosecution.

In response to the lawyers’ concern, presiding parish judge Sasha-Marie Smith-Ashley stated that she wanted the clerk to ensure that everything needed for a prima facie case was on file.

The clerk subsequently asked for another opportunity to assess the Crown’s position.

As a result, Judge Smith-Ashley extended the defendants’ bails to February 28.

It is alleged that on October 10, 2021, the defendants were servicing a Sun Wing flight that was scheduled to depart from the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, when they conspired and placed a bag with 11.4 kilogrammes of cocaine, valued at $88.1 million, on board the aircraft.

The cocaine was intercepted at the Toronto Pearson International Airport in Canada and one person was arrested in connection with the seizure.

Following extensive investigations, the three St James residents were also arrested and charged.

Waite, a 43-year-old security supervisor, is charged with possession of criminal property and aiding and abetting. Reid, a 23-year-old aviation security officer, is charged with breaching the Civil Aviation Act.

Kerr, a 35-year-old ramp attendant, is charged with possession of, dealing in, and attempting to export cocaine.

A fourth accused was freed after the prosecution decided to drop the conspiracy charge against all of the defendants.

So far, only one prosecution witness, Detective Sergeant James Dawes, has taken the stand.

The officer’s testimony is expected to continue when the matter resumes on February 28.