KINGSTON, Jamaica — A Kingston man accused of possessing and dealing in cocaine was remanded in custody on Tuesday when he appeared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court.

Twenty-one-year-old Channeyjah Samuels of Retirement Road, Kingston 5 has been charged with possession of cocaine and dealing in cocaine.

When he appeared before presiding judge Simone Walker-McFarlane, Samuels pleaded guilty with explanation to possession of cocaine but not guilty to dealing in cocaine.

He told Judge Walker-McFarlane that the cocaine was for his personal use.

“I am a ghost writer so I use it for my creativity,” Samuels explained to the judge. When asked if he used cocaine habitually, Samuels responded that he used the drug only twice per month.

“We are making these inquiries because there is a particular programme. If you are suitable, we will transfer you there. We are asking these questions to see if there is a problem,” Judge Walker-McFarlane noted.

Samuels, however, stated that there is no problem, as he could not recall the last time he used the drug.

Allegations are that on July 9, 2025, at around 10:00 am, police officers on patrol observed several men at the entrance of Friendship Lane. On the approach of the police, the men reportedly dispersed. However, Samuels was accosted and searched.

He was reportedly found with an undisclosed sum of cash, and 0.07 ounces of cocaine was recovered from over a fence.

According to arguments presented by the Crown, it is alleged that Samuels threw the cocaine over the fence after seeing the lawmen and was supplying the other men with the drug. The Crown also stated that Samuels allegedly sought to bribe the officers, advising them that they could take the cash.

Samuels, who was unrepresented, is scheduled to return to court on September 16, 2025.

A legal-aid lawyer is expected to be assigned before his next court date.

— Vanassa McKenzie