KINGSTON, Jamaica — A district constable, who was reportedly caught with ganja at the Horizon Adult Remand Centre on Spanish Town Road, was granted bail in the sum of $300,000 when he appeared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Tuesday.

Robert Campbell, 25, who appeared before senior parish court judge Sanchia Burrell, has been charged with dealing in ganja and bringing prohibited articles into a correctional facility.

Reports indicate that on February 21, Campbell, who is from Point Hill, St Catherine, was getting dressed for duty in the barrack room of the correctional facility when a small parcel fell from his pocket. He reportedly stepped on it quickly, which aroused the suspicion of a supervising corporal.

The corporal then called for another officer and instructed that Campbell and his knapsack be searched. During the search, a package containing 4.18 ounces of vegetable matter resembling ganja, vegetable matter resembling tobacco, a USB cable, $20,650 in cash, a pack of Rizzla, and a lighter were discovered.

When cautioned, Campbell reportedly told the police that an inmate had threatened him to smuggle the items into the facility. He has denied the allegations against him.

“He indicated that he came to work, left his shoes in the barracks, and usually used the bag to store his change of clothes. He said he wasn’t aware the items were inside,” Campbell’s attorney said.

Campbell is to return to court on May 15 for a case management hearing.

As part of his bail conditions, Campbell is required to report to the Point Hill police station every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday between 6:00 am and 6:00 pm.

He was also ordered to surrender his travel documents, and a stop order was imposed.

-Vanassa McKenzie