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Zekes, g/friend to face court in September

DONALD 'ZEKES' PHIPPS is to be tried for possession of ganja and unlawful possession of property on September 15.

The trial date was set yesterday when he appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court, along with his girlfriend Yvonne Salesman who is jointly charged for unlawful possession of property.

K. Churchill Neita Q.C., Phipp's attorney, also submitted another bail application, pointing out that Phipps had no previous conviction. He told the court that it would be in his client's best interest to be free to prepare his best defence since he was not even present when the money for which he was charged was found.

Phipps in custody

However, Presiding Resident Magistrate Martin Gayle denied the application and ordered Phipps remanded in custody until the trial date. Salesman's bail was extended.

Phipps and his girlfriend are charged with unlawful possession of property in connection with $18 million of assorted currency found at Phipps' home in Havendale, St. Andrew.

Allegations are that on May 18, a police team went to Phipps' residence in Highland Close, Kingston 19 and searched the premises in Salesman's presence. They recovered an iron chest containing J$8,359,650, US$152,185, £9,020 and CA$3,950 amounting to almost J$19 million.

Both were interrogated by police about the find and later charged. Phipps is also charged for abstracting electricity and possession of ganja after police also raided his west Kingston home.