BY TASHIEKA MAIR, STAR Writer
WESTERN BUREAU
A 69-YEAR-OLD farmer accused of attempting to smuggle 34 pounds of ganja out of the island, was granted bail when he appeared before the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court on Thursday.
Benjamin Gordon of Bethel Town in Westmoreland, who is strongly contesting the charges, was granted $250,000 bail for which his brother is to stand surety.
A condition of his bail is for him to report to the Bethel Town Police Station and surrender his travel documents. He was also instructed not to apply for any passport until the matter is disposed of.
DENIES OWNING CASE
Allegations are that about 4:15 p.m. on November 12, Gordon went to the Sangster International Airport, where he was to board an Air Jamaica flight to London. He was called into the luggage chute in relation to a suitcase, which had his name on it, and he denied owning the suitcase.
It is said that a smaller suitcase that he had in his possession was then searched and a key was used to open the suitcase he was denying ownership of. The suitcase was searched and found to contain the packaged ganja.
Defence attorney Ernest Smith in his bail application, said his client, who suffers from Parkinson's disease, is being framed. He argued that statements of witnesses, including the person at the check-in counter, made mention of a man who was lurking around the area and assisted Gordon, who was in a wheelchair at the time.
According to Mr. Smith, the man even went into Gordon's luggage to retrieve travel documents for the accused. He said this man should be investigated and a statement taken from him.
The attorney further stated that Gordon was not checked in at the time when it was alleged that a suitcase was in the luggage area for him, concluding that under the questionable circumstances, his client should be given bail.
Gordon is expected to return to court on January 19, at which time the outstanding forensic report should be on file.
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