MONTEGO BAY, St James — A 63-year-old man who was already before the court on a cocaine charge was back in the St James Parish Court last Wednesday, this time accused of trafficking four pounds of the drug.

Gregrie Excel appeared before Judge Natiesha Fairclough-Hylton charged with breaches of the Dangerous Drugs Act. He was represented by attorney Martyn Thomas.

The allegations stem from an incident on February 15 about 10:00 am, when police said they received information and went to Queens Drive in the vicinity of the airport roundabout. While there, cops observed a blue hatchback motor vehicle travelling in the direction of Montego Bay. The vehicle was signalled to stop and the driver complied.

He was informed of the reason for the stop and his documents were requested, identifying him as Gregrie Excel. A body search was conducted and the vehicle was also searched. The police said that during the search a brown shopping bag was found under the spare tyre in the trunk. When the bag was opened, a black rectangular object was seen inside.

Excel was cautioned and asked what was inside. Under caution he allegedly replied, “Drugs officer. A bredrin seh him a help mi out wid a ting fi help me out wid mi bail.” He was then asked if he was on bail for an offence and he said, “Yes officer, mi report on condition at Coral Gardens Police Station for a similar case that happened at St Mary.”

The police added that a further examination of the bag revealed two rectangular packages. Excel was taken to Summit Police Station where a small incision was made in both packages. A white powdery substance resembling cocaine fell out and later tested positive as cocaine.

When questioned about the person who allegedly asked him to carry the drugs, he said, “Mi know him good. Him a businessman who have restaurant and ting.”

Asked how much he expected to be paid, he responded, “Mi bredrin seh him coulda help mi with $3 million; mi did just plan to plead guilty on the court case mi have a gwaan now and use di money pay the fine.” He also stated, “Mi just come out and si mi gone back in deh yah now just because a man seh him can help… Seet deh now, it better unoo just kill mi, officer.”

The court clerk informed the court that the forensic certificate, the scene of crime CD and statement, the corroborating cop’s statement, and the chain of custody statement remain outstanding.

In applying for bail Thomas said Excel disputes aspects of the prosecution’s outline. He also argued that his client is well known to the police, who indicated he can be monitored and were not opposed to bail.

“We are asking that the court grant Mr Excel conditional liberty so that he can get his house in order. The prosecution’s file will take some time to be completed but we submit that he poses no flight risk,” Thomas said.

The prosecution opposed bail, arguing that Excel might fail to surrender to custody and could commit another offence while on bail.

“The accused was on bail at the time that this offence was committed, which shows that he does indeed have a propensity to commit these offences,” the clerk said.

The clerk added that the strength of the evidence is strong, noting that the nature and seriousness of the allegations, along with the defendant’s association with the person who allegedly asked him to transport the drug, were also factors in opposing bail.

Thomas again urged the court to grant bail, stating that he strongly believes the judge will not see Excel before her again on a similar charge. On the previous matter, Excel has been charged with possessing three kilogrammes of cocaine.

Judge Fairclough-Hylton said her primary concern was the possibility of him going out and committing another offence.

Excel was remanded until March 18 when the court is expected to consider the issue of bail.