ST JAMES, Jamaica – Five individuals were granted bail in the St James Parish Court on Wednesday after being arrested following a police operation earlier this month in Ironshore, Montego Bay, St James that netted a quantity of cocaine and more than $500,000 in cash.

Barrington Kerr, 51, Kerry-Ann Kerr, 44, and Juanecia Kerr, 23, all of Ironshore, Montego Bay, St James, are charged with conspiracy, possession, dealing in, and attempting to export cocaine, and using premises to manufacture and distribute cocaine.

Kayodia Dias, 25, of Cash Hill, Hanover, and Percival Parkins of Cascade district, also in Hanover, have also been charged.

Attorney-at-law Martyn Thomas represents all of the defendants, while attorneys Jermaine Campbell and Henry McCurdy join Thomas in representing Dias, Kerry-Ann Kerr and Juanicia Kerr, the daughter of the two Kerrs.

According to court documents, Between July 9 and 10, an intelligence-driven operation was carried out at the Kerrs’ Ironshore apartment, where all accused persons were seen. Barrington Kerr was served with a warrant under the Dangerous Drugs Act, and the premises were searched. During a search of the couple’s bedroom, a bag was searched, and it revealed nine packages of Maggie coconut milk and Lasco packages, all of which contained cocaine. The quantity was not disclosed.

A further search of the premises yielded $570,000, and a motor vehicle on the premises was also searched, yielding several empty Maggie coconut milk powder packages and empty ziplock bags. A field test on the empty packages reportedly revealed the presence of cocaine.

The motor car is registered to a company owned by the two elder Kerrs.

The five accused were subsequently arrested and charged.

The prosecution did not oppose bail but did request stringent conditions.

During the bail hearing, McCurdy expressed concern about Kerry-Ann Kerr’s health, stating that she was scheduled to undergo a number of medical tests and that he was surprised she lasted so long in the cell.

Campbell stated that Dias had no prior dealings with the law and had only gone to visit when the operation took place.

Meanwhile, Thomas stated that Barrington Kerr intends to vigorously defend the charges and that Parkins has denied the allegations.

Following the lawyers’ submissions, presiding judge Sasha-Marie Smith-Ashley granted Barrington and Kerry-Ann Kerr bail in the sum of $2 million each with reporting conditions, $1 million of which must be a cash bond.

The other three defendants were each granted bail in the sum of $300,000 with up to two sureties, along with reporting requirements.

Additionally, all five accused are to surrender all travel documents and a stop order placed at all ports.

The case is set for mention again on October 3.