MONTEGO BAY, St James — A 43-year-old man is now heading to trial after allegedly attempting to smuggle ganja — hidden under a dumpling – into the Montego Bay Freeport lockup.

Kenneth Richards appeared before judge Natiesha Fairclough-Hylton at the St James Parish Court last Wednesday, where the trial was set for April 20.

During the hearing, the court clerk noted that several key documents — chain of custody and escort statements, plus an additional report from the investigating officer — were still pending.

A case management date of April 8 was requested, but judge Fairclough-Hylton refused, pointing out that the matter had already been before the court since June 18, 2025.

Richards’ bail was extended, and the trial date now confirms that the matter will move forward.

Court records show that on June 12, 2025, Richards arrived at the facility claiming he was delivering a meal for an inmate. During a standard security check, officers discovered a small plastic bag containing roughly eight ounces of ganja and tobacco, cleverly hidden under a dumpling. The package was seized before it could reach the cell block.

When confronted, Richards allegedly said, “Oh God, a mi uncle put it in deh, but mi tek responsibility.”

He was arrested and charged.