WESTERN BUREAU

A man implicated in a attempt to export cocaine, based on the statement of his neighbour, was granted bail with strict conditions in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court on Wednesday.

Taxi operator Lloyd Robinson, of Catherine Mount, St James, was charged with possession, dealing in and attempting to export approximately one kilogram (2.5 pounds) of cocaine. This after Wayne Gordon, 26, a customer service agent, who was held with the contraband at the airport, told the police that the suitcase in which the drug was found, belonged to Robinson. Gordon, who appeared a week earlier, was remanded.

When Robinson appeared before the court he pleaded not guilty, claiming he never lent the suitcase to Gordon and therefore knows nothing about the subject of the charges.

Allegations are that on November 8 Gordon checked in at the Sangster International Airport for an American Airlines flight to New York. A suitcase he had was X-rayed and unusual objects were seen. Gordon allegedly ran from the airport but was held near the gas station close by.

Powdery substance

He was allegedly taken back to the airport where the suitcase was opened in his presence. A secret compartment containing packages of a white powdery substance resembling cocaine was found. He told the police that he ran because he was afraid of the consequences and gave police a statement claiming that Robinson lent him the suitcase. He also gave the police directions to Robinson 's house.

Defence attorney Morrel Beckford, who represents Robinson, said that based on the law as it relates to cases involving accomplices and co-accused persons, the prosecution does not have a strong case. He added that his client never made any statements to the police that corroborated anything said by Gordon.

Robinson was granted $150,000 bail with surety and is to report to the Mount Salem police on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Additionally, he was ordered to surrender his travel documents and a stop order was imposed at all ports of entry.

He is scheduled to return to court on December 10, the same date his co-accused is scheduled to appear.