One of two employees of the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, St James, who were accused of smuggling more than 11 kilogrammes of cocaine onto a flight destined for Canada, walked free from the St James Parish Court on Thursday following a no-case submission.

Brelanie Reid, a 23-year-old aviation security officer, was on trial with co-defendant Indra Waite for violating the Civil Aviation Act.

Trial judge Sasha-Marie Smith-Ashley handed down her ruling after the prosecution admitted that the video footage they hoped to use to build their case against Reid would be insufficient on its own, and that they had no additional evidence to present against her.

“Ms Reid, the prosecution having assessed the material that they have against you have determined that it is insufficient to establish a prima facie case against you. It means that rather than have you continue until the point when they close their case, whenever that would be, they are offering no further evidence against you at this time, which means I must enter a formal verdict of not guilty against you,” Judge Ashley told Reid before allowing her to leave the courtroom.

Reid is the third defendant in the case to be freed as a result of the no-case submission. Tavon Murray and Romaine Kerr, two former co-defendants, were released earlier this year after similar submissions were made on their behalf. Reid was represented by attorney-at-law Martyn Thomas.

Murray was freed at the start of the trial on November 16, 2022 after the prosecution elected to drop the conspiracy charge against all of the accused persons. He was charged with conspiracy to export cocaine.

The prosecution’s failure to make a compelling case against Kerr, who was charged with possession of, dealing in, and attempting to export cocaine, led to his release on July 4 of this year.

Meanwhile, Waite’s case was postponed for continuation on October 3 due to the illness of an additional prosecution witness who was scheduled to testify. Waite’s bail was extended.

Waite, a 43-year-old security supervisor, is charged with possession of criminal property and aiding and abetting. She is represented by attorney-at-law Henry McCurdy.

It is alleged that on October 10, 2021, the defendants who were former airport employees conspired together to place a bag with 11.4 kilogrammes of cocaine, valued at $88.1 million, on board a Sun Wing flight that was scheduled to depart from the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay.

The cocaine was seized at the Toronto Pearson International Airport in Canada and one person was arrested in connection with the incident.

Following top-level investigations, Waite and her now former co-defendants were also arrested and charged in relation to the seizure.