Man pleads guilty to cocaine charges, granted $400,000 bail
KINGSTON, Jamaica — A man charged with possession of cocaine, dealing in cocaine and attempting to export the drug was granted bail in the sum of $400,000 with one to two sureties when he appeared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Tuesday.
Cornel Hoffman pleaded guilty to all charges, stating that he did not intend to waste the court’s time.
According to allegations, on December 4, 2024, Hoffman unlawfully had cocaine in his possession, in breach of Section 8 of the Dangerous Drugs Act. He is also charged with attempting to export cocaine from Jamaica and conspiracy—along with persons known and unknown—to do the same, also under Section 8 of the Act.
Court documents indicate that he was approached by someone at a post office who claimed they were unable to send a package due to a lack of valid identification. Hoffman reportedly agreed to send the package on their behalf using his ID. He was later arrested and charged in relation to the package’s contents.
Hoffman told the court he was working as a security guard at the time of the incident.
The quantity and street value of the cocaine have not yet been determined by the court.
He is scheduled to be sentenced on November 17, 2025.
As part of his bail conditions, Hoffman must report to the Waterford Police Station every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday between 6:00 am and 6:00 pm. He has also been ordered to surrender all travel documents, and a stop order has been imposed.
— Vanassa McKenzie