Four Years on, $100,000 Drug Trafficking Case still trying to get started

By Wilkie Arthur

Freelance Court Reporter

#TurksandCaicos, June 22, 2023 – Illegal humans and illegal drugs were allegedly found during a reported stolen boat bust around November 19th, 2019.

Police and other officials captured some of the illegal migrants who were already on land, trying to make good their escape.

The count of arrivals was unknown.

On the boat about 22 pounds of marijuana with a street value of $100,000 was seized, barrels of gasoline and other items Police said that suggested the boat was recently occupied and facilitated human trafficking.

The two arrested and charged men were in the Leeward Highway Supreme Court on Monday June 12th for the commencement of their joint trial, but the matter did not proceed and was pushed forward to a new trial date of October 16^th, 2023.

Turks and Caicos Islander GILTRIVO JENNINGS who is represented by Ms. Sheena Mair was present in court on time and his bail was extended to the new trial date.

His co-defendant Jamaican National ALRICK BARRETT was not in attendance at court at the start of the proceedings and her Ladyship Hon Tanya Lobban Jackson was told by his counsel, Mrs Lara Maroof Misick, that she takes the blame for his non-attendance as she had not advised him that he had to appear today (12th June,2023).

Mrs. Maroof Misick then informed the court that she would contact him and ask him to come to court.

This was allowed but he appeared hours later and not properly dress for court as his attorney told the judge he was at work. He was not allowed in the court but was directed by the judge to remain at the inside door of the court standing until she’s heard from his counsel regarding his dress code before we can go any further with this matter.

Mrs. Maroof Misick apologized to the court for his short pants attire and explain to her Ladyship that he came straight from work here understanding the urgency.

The judge then addressed BARRETT and told him because of reasons outlined by your counsel, I will allow you to now properly enter the court.

He was directed into the defendant’s dock and his bail was also extended to the new trial date of 16th October, 2023.

That would make exactly one month before this case is four years old pending in the courts.