MONTEGO BAY, St James — A policeman who was allegedly caught with marijuana and weapons on the grounds of the Montego Bay Police Station was granted bail when he appeared in court on Thursday.

Constable Rasheem Smith is charged with possession of and dealing in ganja, as well as three counts of possessing an offensive weapon.

According to court records, about 7:50 pm on January 5 the investigating officer and colleagues went to the Montego Bay Police station after receiving information about an investigation being conducted in relation to Smith.

The officers approached him as he drove onto the compound.

The allegations are that Smith’s vehicle was searched and a sum of money was removed from both the vehicle and his person. A knapsack on the front passenger seat of the vehicle was also searched; it was discovered to contain 17 parcels with green vegetable matter resembling ganja and weighing one pound, seven ounces.

Several other items were discovered in the knapsack, including cigarettes, lighters, and three ratchet knives.

When cautioned Smith reportedly said, “I got a little weed and tobacco to give to someone at Moods [exotic night club].”

When he was charged and cautioned in relation to dealing in ganja he reportedly said, “It’s me doing my thing, not anyone else.”

During Thursday’s hearing the prosecution informed the court that the forensic certificate and the corroborating officer’s statement were still outstanding.

His attorney, Henry McCurdy, stated that his client is likely to go to trial, and requested bail in a reasonable amount. The Crown did not object to bail.

Presiding Judge Sasha-Marie Smith-Ashley then granted the accused cop bail in the amount of $350,000, with a surety and the requirement to report to a specific police station once per week. He was also ordered to surrender his travel documents, and a stop order will be imposed at all ports.

The case will be mentioned again on March 4.