WESTERN BUREAU

A St. Lucian, who was allegedly held with 9.5 kilograms of ganja on his way to the Sangster Inter-national Airport in January, was given a conditional bail on Friday when he appeared before the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court.

Radneil Theodore, 31, of Castries, was granted $100,000 bail.

He is to reside with his surety in Fyffe's Pen, St. Elizabeth, and is to report to the Black River Police Station on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Additionally, he is to surrender his travel documents and a stop order was imposed.

Theodore is scheduled to return to court on April 2.

The accused man, during his first court appearance, pleaded guilty to charges of possession, dealing in and taking steps to export ganja. But, Theodore was told to change his plea after he explained that he had no knowledge of the drugs.

He was arrested on January 25 during a police spot check along the Long Hill main road in St. James. It is said that ganja was allegedly found in two aluminium trays he was carrying.

Allegations are that he was a passenger in a bus travelling from Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, when the bus was stopped and the passengers were searched.

A search of the trunk revealed a travelling bag, allegedly containing the drug, which the accused identified as his.

Another bag he had was also searched and his passport and a plane ticket to St. Lucia were found.

The court is still awaiting the forensic report to confirm that the seized substance is in fact ganja, so that a trial date can be set.