KINGSTON, Jamaica— A police constable accused of allowing a traveller, who was suspected of having ganja in his luggage, to continue to the boarding gate at the Norman Manley International Airport has been found not guilty.

The verdict was handed down on Thursday by Chief Judge of the Parish Courts, Chester Crooks.

The constable, identified as Chadwick Bowen, was charged following a ruling by the Director of Public Prosecutions with attempting to pervert the course of justice in relation to the incident which occurred on January 19, 2015.

READ: Cop charged with attempting to pervert course of justice

The prosecution had alleged that while on duty at the Narcotics Division, Constable Bowen was informed by canine police of the presence of drugs in the luggage of a British traveller. They alleged that Bowen proceeded to open the suitcase, which allegedly contained 11.2 pounds of ganja, and allowed the British national to continue to the boarding gate.

However, during the trial, the defence attorneys Peter Champagnie KC and Samoi Campbell, who were representing Bowen, cross-examined the prosecution’s witnesses and it was revealed that no one actually witnessed Bowen opening the suitcase.

It was further revealed that police officers have the discretion not to search people once the answers the person gives to the questions asked are satisfactory.

Additionally, the investigating officer shared that the British national, who was found with the ganja, stated that he did not know Bowen.