Man Charged for Drug Importation in Barbados Criticized by King’s Counsel for Alleged Absence: A Legal Overview
April 10, 2024
King's Counsel Michael Lashley criticized the arrest and charging of Troy O'Neal Rawlins for drug offenses, alleging Rawlins was not in Barbados at the time. Rawlins was released on bail.
Calling it a “dark day in the criminal justice system”, King’s Counsel Michael Lashley yesterday criticised the arrest and charging of a man for importing drugs when he said that man was nowhere in Barbados.
He made the comments as Troy O’Neal Rawlins appeared in the District “A” Traffic Court.
Rawlins, a 47-year-old trader, of Lodge Road, Christ Church, and 109149 Street, Jamaica, New York, United States, did not plead to possession of cannabis, having a traffickable quantity of the drug, possession with intent to supply and importation on June 21, 2023. The drugs allegedly weighed 24.86 kilogrammes with an estimated street value of $198 808.
There was no objection to bail and Lashley, who appeared with attorney Fay Burke, made an application for pre-trial disclosure.
“We want the disclosure because I believe the charge before the court is a trumped-up charge. It is a travesty of justice,” he said.
“My client was out of the island and was not present. The drugs [allegedly] came in in June. He was out of the island and the drugs belong to him?” Lashley queried.
“This is a travesty, an injustice, a dark day in the criminal justice system,” he added.
In the end, Magistrate Alison Burke released the accused with a surety of $30 000.
She confiscated his passport and transferred the matters to the District “B” Boarded
Hall Magistrates’ Court.
Rawlins will appear there on Friday.
