Trial date set for couple in $85m cocaine seizure
ST JAMES, Jamaica— A June 9 trial date has been set for a St James couple charged in relation to the seizure of cocaine valued at approximately $85 million.
Bank employee Sheena Headley and her husband Chad are charged with possession of, dealing in and taking steps to export cocaine.
They are represented by attorneys-at-law King’s Counsel Peter Champagnie and Martyn Thomas respectively.
When the case was called up for mention before presiding parish judge Sasha-Marie Smith-Ashley, the court was told that the prosecution was still awaiting the analysis of video evidence by the Communication Forensics and Cybercrime Division (CFCD).
The court was also informed that the initial investigating officer was no longer a serving member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and that the case was reassigned to another officer.
Champagnie, who represents the female accused, said that based on the statements, there are no apparent grounds for advancing the case further.
“The witnesses’ statements on file do not make any reference to the video,” Champagnie stated.
“I will invite the learned friend of the crown (prosecutor) to have a serious look at the file because it is my respectful view that there is no case at all in respect of one of the accused persons, and even with the other accused, the case is tenuous,” Champagnie continued.
Judge Smith-Ashley said she will give the crown some time so that the clerk-of-court can have dialogue with other senior clerks— if that is required—to determine if the crown has a case.
The judge then instructed the clerk that if she believes she cannot continue against one of the accused or both, she should notify counsel and the witnesses well in advance of the trial date.
The duo’s bails were subsequently extended until June 9
Allegations are that about 6:00 pm on June 15, last year, cops from the Area One Narcotics Police Division carried out an operation at a premises in Goodwill, St James.
During the search, 10 rectangular-shaped packages were found in the trunk of a Toyota Prado SUV belonging to Sheena Headley.
The packages were later identified as cocaine weighing approximately 25 pounds.
Following an interview, she was arrested and charged with breaches of the Dangerous Drugs Act.
The Narcotics Police subsequently issued a release identifying Chad Headley as a person of interest who could assist in the investigation.
He was later taken into custody and was arrested and charged.
