Eight US nationals pleaded guilty when they appeared before the St Ann Parish Court on Tuesday, November 29. The nationals were arrested for Breaches of the Dangerous Drugs Act at the Ocho Rios cruise ship pier in St. Ann on Wednesday, November 9 following the seizure of 24 kilograms of cocaine valued at US$1.2 million or the equivalent of J$180 million.
The cocaine was seized after the eight returned to the pier having earlier disembarked a cruise ship on which they were passengers when it docked earlier that morning. As they attempted to board, their bags were searched and the drugs found.
In court Tuesday, November 29, They pleaded guilty to the charges of possession of cocaine and attempting to export cocaine.
Those who pleaded guilty Tuesday were all from Florida:
· 1. Twenty-two-year-old Jamari Kitchen, a mover of NW Street, Pompano Beach, Florida;
· 2. Twenty-three-year-old Kaley Hall, a daycare worker of SW Street, Deerfield Beach, Florida;
· 3. Twenty-three-year-old Yakine Jones, a student of NW Doctors Plantation,
· 4. Eighteen-year-old Hailey Lawrence, of Sunset, Lauderdale;
· 5. Twenty-two-year-old Javonte Johnson, a football player of Deerfield Beach, Florida;
· 6. Twenty-two-year-old Tyshena Brison , of SW Street, Fort Lauderdale;
· 7. Twenty-seven-year-old Troy Craig, a labourer of SW Street, Fort Lauderdale;
· 8. Twenty-two-year-old Ta’kayla Hooks, a hairstylist of NW Street, Pompano Beach.
They were remanded in custody and are scheduled to return before the court on Friday, December 02, for sentencing.
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C Hall
