Deron Hazel a 35 year old resident from Paget Farm on the Island of Bequia who was arrested and charged by the Police for the possession of 1,133gms of cocaine has changed his plea to guilty.
He was charged with intent to supply to another and possession for the purpose of drug trafficking on March 9th, 2013 in the vicinity of Massy Store at Upper Bay Street, he earlier entered a plea of not guilty when he first appeared in Court, that was changed when he re-appeared at the Serious Offences Court before Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne on September 26th, 2018.
The Court heard that on the date in question police acted on certain information and proceeded to an area at the Grenadines Wharf via their transport during which time Hazel was seen walking in the public road.
Reports are that he proceeded to the Massy Store Supermarket where he spent a few minutes and on returning from the supermarket and on reaching the main exit Hazel was approached by a female Police Officer who was dressed in civilian clothes.
The Officer is said to have identified herself to Hazel and requested a search on a green nap-sack he had on his back and also on his person.
Nothing was discovered in the knapsack but the drugs were discovered in a black plastic bag strapped to his back which resulted in his arrest.
When asked by the Magistrate what he had to say in mitigation Hazel said that he was very sorry for his action and that he was coming to the Court for the first time.
He also pointed out that he could have entered the guilty plea earlier but he wanted to see the birth of his third child and further stated that he had some problems where someone had stolen his engine from his boat.
He begged the Court to be lenient with him. He was remanded into custody until Thursday, September 27th, when his sentence will be pronounced.
