ST JAMES, Jamaica – A Montego Bay businessman was on Wednesday freed of drug charges when he appeared before the St Ann Parish Court.

He is Karl Reid.

The charges stemmed from the seizure of a quantity of cocaine, which was reportedly found in a vehicle Reid was driving on the highway in St Ann in July 2020.

Allegations were that based on an unidentified source, the police stopped and searched a motor truck driven by Reid. During the search, 40 pounds of cocaine was reportedly discovered under the rear floor cabin of the motor vehicle.

After the discovery, Reid, who was represented by attorneys Peter Champagnie KC and Richard Lynch, was taken into custody, and the drugs processed and taken to Kingston.

The businessman was charged with possession, dealing and trafficking cocaine.

During the questioning of the main witness by Champagnie, it was discovered that the chain of custody of the drugs in question was severely compromised as there were contradictions in the labelling and sealing of them.

The parish judge ruled that based on the compromise of the exhibits, there was doubt as to whether she could believe the police witnesses as to what took place on the day in question.

The businessman was eventually freed.