Earl Sylvester pleaded not guilty to the charge of possession of a controlled drug for the purpose of supplying to another. Photo: VINO

A bag containing the large quantity of alleged controlled drug that was in the possession of Earl Sylvester. The drug was removed from the original 'garbage bags' and placed in the paper bag displayed in the photograph. Photo: VINO

Sylvester once again pleaded not guilty to having in his possession 14.4 kilograms of cannabis for the purpose of supplying another.

Detective Constable Marlon Primo and Detective Sergeant Pamphill Prepost both of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) both testified on behalf of the Crown. The court heard from the two officers the scenario surrounding Sylvester’s arrest.

They both told the court that they were on duty on the day in question during a bright afternoon when they observed the accused approaching, got onto a boat, and took off two bags from the catamaran vessel. They both explained that they were observing the movement and while Sylvester was heading to another catamaran some distance off he was stopped by the police marine vessel which they were on with other officers.

They said that Sylvester was asked what he had on the dingy he was driving at the time and he told them it was garbage. They said that they allowed him to go and as he was in close proximity of the other catamaran they ordered him to return to the police vessel. It on this occasion they were led to conduct a search of the dingy when they allegedly unearthed the securely wrapped parcel in three other bags.

Officer Prepost told the court that he was the one to open the bag but it was when he opened the first bag he was hit with the smell of what he believed was cannabis.

This led to Sylvester being led to the police station where he was slapped with the charge. The man who was said to have been the lone person on the catamaran from which the two bags were collected by Sylvester was also taken into custody. His name was given as Kirk Robinson. He was not charged in connection with the matter.

The court heard that Sylvester was believed to have been the captain of the other catamaran that he was approaching and the officers took the decision not to allow him to board the vessel as there were guests including children on board.

During cross examination of Prepost Attorney at Law representing Sylvester, Mr Stephen R. Daniels, the court heard that Sylvester was not present with police officers at the police station when the bag which allegedly contained the controlled substance was opened, examined and tested.

Daniels said that his client had maintained that the bag had contained garbage and this was agreed to by both witnesses.

The matter is set to continue on September 16, 2014.