Manager testifies in ramp attendant drug trial - Jamaica Observer

Source: Jamaica Observer

ST JAMES, Jamaica -- A ramp attendant manager testified on Thursday in the case of Jermaine Scott, who is on trial for the possession of 5.5 pounds of cocaine.

The drug was discovered in the defendant's raincoat, which was hidden inside a restroom at Gate #2 at Sangster International Airport.

The witness, who works for an airline handling company at the airport, was the only one who testified on Thursday in the ongoing trial, which began last year.

During his evidence-in-chief, the witness stated that he first learned about the incident from his general manager in January last year while they were having a conversation in the parking lot of the airport's administrative offices.

According to him, he was not assigned to work on that particular day. Furthermore, he stated that he had the task of creating a six-week roster and identified Scott in court as one of the employees who was scheduled to work on the day of the incident.

During cross-examination, Scott's lawyer, Henry McCurdy, attempted to elicit information about how to access Gate #2. McCurdy was particularly interested in learning about the specific steps and protocol for entering Gate #2, as well as the attire that employees were required to wear.

The witness described the types of uniforms provided and stated that, while it may not seem necessary to carry a raincoat when the weather doesn't call for it, the employees always make sure to have one on hand.

He went on to explain that upon arrival at the security checkpoint, all employees would be subjected to a thorough inspection, which included the removal of any raincoats they might be wearing at the time.

No additional witnesses were called to the stand and the hearing was scheduled to continue on March 26. Scott's bail was extended.

Scott was arrested on January 29, last year, during a law enforcement operation by the narcotics and Customs' Contraband Enforcement Team (CET).

On September 4, last year, a customs officer testified that around 11:13 am, he was conducting operations on incoming flights and went to the restroom at Gate #2. When he entered, he noticed a ramp attendant exiting the facility, who immediately informed him that he had left his raincoat inside.

He explained that the man [Scott] removed a blue raincoat from behind a cubicle and, as he was about to leave, he stopped him and asked to see the coat, but he seemed hesitant and clung onto it.

He described how the man eventually handed him the coat, which felt unusually heavy and had a package in the pocket, leading him to suspect that it contained drugs.

The customs officer stated that he contacted his colleagues and drug enforcement agents, and the man was then taken to the narcotics office, where they discovered four rectangular packets containing cocaine.

Scott was subsequently arrested and charged with breaches of the Dangerous Drugs Act.