MONTEGO BAY, St James — A sea voyage ended in court proceedings with two Cubans before the St James Parish Court to answer charges of illegal entry.

Adrion Benites and Elier Reyes Novea appeared before Judge Kaysha Grant-Pryce in connection with their alleged unlawful arrival in Jamaica.

Novea is represented by attorney Michael Hemmings; however, it was not disclosed whether Benites has retained legal counsel.

The allegations are that sometime in 2020 the men arrived in Jamaica by boat from Cuba and later ended up in Falmouth, Trelawny.

Last Wednesday the court was told that Novea has been living and working there since his arrival.

The case against Novea arose after police, on December 5, acted on information relating to what appeared to be cocaine in the White House area.

Several Jamaican men were arrested for possession of cocaine, and Novea was found at the location. While he was not charged with possession of cocaine, he was charged with illegal entry.

In Benites’ case, no detailed allegations were outlined in court. However, it was stated that he also arrived in the island illegally by boat on a different date.

An interpreter was assigned to assist the proceedings but was unable to attend the sitting. Hemmings, who speaks limited Spanish, assisted the men until an interpreter could be present.

Judge Grant-Pryce ordered that both men be remanded in custody until January 5, 2026.