KINGSTON, Jamaica —Constable Alan Patrick, who was charged in January of this year in connection with a major cocaine seizure in St Andrew, has been remanded in custody.

The 61-year-old faces multiple charges, including possession of cocaine, dealing in cocaine, trafficking in cocaine, conspiracy to traffic cocaine, and possession of criminal property.

Patrick appeared before senior parish court judge Sanchia Burrell on Tuesday in the criminal division of the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court.

Reports are that on Wednesday, January 8, a team of police officers carried out an operation around 10:50 am at an apartment complex in Charlton Court, St Andrew.

Patrick, who was driving a grey Toyota Hiace bus, was reportedly intercepted at the entrance gate to the complex. A search of the motor vehicle and the apartment managed by Patrick yielded 122 parcels of cocaine, weighing approximately 134 kilograms (295 pounds), valued at over USD$500,000.

At the time of the operation, the apartment was reportedly vacant. Patrick claimed to the police that he was in the process of renovating the apartment. His attorney stated that his client denies the allegations.

“In relation to the cocaine allegedly found in the vehicle, we deny the charges and continue to deny them. He has indicated that he was unaware of the cocaine until he gave the police access to the apartment, at which point he saw it for the first time,” said his attorney.

Court documents revealed that Patrick had been convicted of a similar offence in the United States, where he had resided for 20 years.

Patrick is scheduled to return to court on April 25, when his attorney is expected to seek bail.

-Vanassa McKenzie