25-year-old Bioche resident, Andray Alexis, appeared before Magistrate Micheal Laudat on June 16, 2023, charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm and cocaine. The charges followed an Anti-Crime Task Force operation in Salybia on June 12, 2023, during which Alexis was apprehended with a package suspected of containing cocaine.
Members of the task force, acting on information received, had earlier conducted an exhaustive search of a vehicle and its occupants, though nothing incriminating was found. Later in the evening, they spotted Alexis walking along the road, gripping a taped black package beneath his shirt. Upon being questioned, Alexis claimed it was a “brick,” leading to his arrest on suspicion of drug trafficking.
In the following days, Alexis cooperated with the police, even implicating the individual who supplied him with the drugs. His formal charge came on June 13 for trafficking over one gram of cocaine, specifically 1,134 grams.
Joshua Francis, Alexis’ attorney, portrayed him as an easy-going, generally docile individual who had merely been at the wrong place at the wrong time. Alexis, a fisherman and agricultural worker, was very remorseful and expressed regret to Magistrate Laudat, explaining that he was a key financial contributor to his family. However, the Magistrate responded by questioning whether Alexis’ remorse could counteract the societal impact of cocaine.
Considering several factors during sentencing, including Alexis’ remorse, cooperation, and first-time offender status, Magistrate Laudat issued fines totaling ECD$30,000. These fines were staggered over a period extending to January 31, 2025, with default terms of imprisonment attached to each due date.
This article is copyright © 2023 DOM767
