ST JAMES, Jamaica – A female flight attendant, who claimed through her lawyer that she was set up after three pounds of cocaine was reportedly discovered in her luggage at the Sangster International Airport, was offered bail in the sum of $1 million in the St James Parish Court on Friday.

Michelle Virgo, a 44-year-old dual citizen of Jamaican and United States (US) addresses, is charged with possession of, dealing in, attempting to export, and conspiracy to export cocaine.

Virgo’s attorney, Martyn Thomas, told presiding parish judge Sasha-Marie Smith-Ashley during her bail hearing that she had consistently denied having any knowledge of the cocaine even after being arrested.

“I had an opportunity to read the statements, and every step of the way she [Virgo] denied knowledge of the cocaine. She claimed that she was set up, and her suitcase was kept at home, left around persons who she trusted,” Thomas explained, while adding that Virgo had no previous convictions.

Meanwhile, the prosecution informed the court that it was not opposed to Virgo being granted bail. It was also revealed that the prosecution’s case file is currently incomplete due to the lack of a forensic certificate, scene-of-crime photographs, and a corroborating officer’s statement.

“A bail application has been made on your behalf, the Crown is unopposed to bail, and the bench has no reason to deny it to you. I am offering you bail in the sum of $1 million with one surety, and it must be a cash bond,” Judge Smith-Ashley informed Virgo.

Virgo is required to report to the police three times per week and surrender her travel documents as part of her bail conditions, and a stop order has been put in place to prevent her from leaving Jamaica through any of the island’s ports of entry.

The matter will be mentioned again on September 11.

According to the allegations, on June 6, Virgo was preparing to board a JetBlue flight bound for New York, at the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, St James. During a routine security check, the cocaine, which is said to have a street value of US$75,000 (J$11.5 million) was reportedly found in a false compartment in her suitcase.

Under caution, Virgo allegedly said, “Cocaine? This is unbelievable.”

She was later charged with breaches of the Dangerous Drugs Act.