Police authorities have destroyed a cache of marijuana and cocaine which were used as exhibits to secure court convictions between 2014 and 2020. The illegal substances were burnt at Morne Bruce, with Inspector Charles Dominique, head of the Drug Squad Unit, giving the breakdown of the exhibits.
Presently, we have 3,400 cannabis plants; cannabis cured, we have 4, 562.3 pounds, 13 cannabis cigarettes; cannabis seeds – 11 pounds, cannabis raisin – 6.2 pounds, cocaine – 446.1 pounds. The total weight of the cannabis which includes the seeds, plants is 4,596.3 pounds.
Charles Dominique: Inspector
The drug-buster said the entire drug cache was approved for destruction after the courts have dispensed with all the cases pertaining to them. Dominique did not give the current street value for the drugs, but noted that drug dealers seemed not to quit their illegal business despite the coronavirus pandemic and the associated lockdown.
Drug activity has never ceased during COVID-19, [with] shipments going to and fro. It never stopped; they were a bit restricted [because of the lockdown] but as usual, these people still find a way to transact their transaction because [with] criminals, there are no boundaries.
Charles Dominique: Inspector
Although PM Roosevelt Skerrit has expressed his wish to legalize medical cannabis in Dominica, and lawmakers have also agreed to decriminalize marijuana use and possession, the substance remains illegal in the country until a law legalizing it goes into effect. The police inspector said the authorities will not relent in pursuing drug offenders and traffickers, and that they will have their day in court if apprehended.
This article is copyright © 2020 DOM767
