ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) — A drug-related case against Jamaican-born businessman Francis Young has been dismissed after Antigua and Barbuda’s Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) decided not to proceed with the matter.

Chief Magistrate Ngaio Emanuel formally discontinued the case, although no explanation was provided by the DPP for the decision.

Young had been jointly charged with Nadeem Brandon Doumith following the discovery of 62 pounds of cannabis hidden in a cargo shipment at Deep Water Harbour on May 9, 2025. The seized drugs were estimated to have a street value of EC$372,000.

While the charges against Young have been withdrawn, proceedings against Doumith remain ongoing. His matter is scheduled to return to court on August 8, 2026.

The two men had faced several charges, including conspiracy to commit drug trafficking, possession of cannabis, possession of cannabis with intent to transfer, importation of cannabis, and being concerned in the supply of cannabis.

Young, who has lived in Antigua for the past four years with his wife and three young children, operates a business that reportedly employs a number of Antiguans.

The withdrawal marks the second high-profile drug case to be discontinued by the DPP’s office in recent weeks. Last week, prosecutors also dropped charges against 48-year-old Canadian national Roselynee Crisostomo, who was accused of possessing 67 pounds of cannabis at VC Bird International Airport on March 10, 2026. In that case, medical reasons were cited as the basis for the decision to discontinue the prosecution.