Closing arguments are expected on Tuesday in the trial of a St Michael man accused of importing more than 15 kilogrammes of cannabis into the island nearly six years ago.
Venice Stephen, of Sealy Land, Government Hill, is on trial in the No. 5 Supreme Court charged with possession, trafficking, and importation of 15.5 kilogrammes of cannabis on July 15, 2020.
In an unsworn statement from the dock, Stephen told the court he had ordered food and had no knowledge of the contraband concealed in the barrel.
He said he had lived in Canada for about four years, during which he met a man named Barry. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he asked Barry to send him a barrel.
Stephen told the court: “On my way for the barrel to the bond, I presented my ID card and collected the paperwork to take to Customs. I realised that there is not a Barry on (the barrel). I assume that William for some reason is the one that send me. I ain’t know if Barry probably sent William to send me this barrel but at the same time, it was Corona but I still proceed with the assumption that Williams was sent by Barry to send me this barrel.
“I took the papers to Customs to collect the groceries that I had asked for with no knowledge of contraband in it. I only knew this contraband was in this barrel when I got to Customs and when I was trying to go to inspection, that is where I saw all of this stuff, and that is what I said to them: ‘No, I have no idea what is that. I order food.’ I am innocent.”
Senior State Counsel Kevin Forde is prosecuting the case, while attorney Sade Harris represents Stephen.
A nine-member jury is hearing the evidence before Justice Pamela Beckles.
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