By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net 

AN AXED policewoman and her brother, a pageant coach and franchise owner, found themselves before a magistrate yesterday charged in connection with last Friday’s $64,000 cocaine seizure at the country’s main port of entry.

And while a warrant of arrest was issued in court for their alleged accomplice, 33-year-old Jamaican national Conrad Campbell, the siblings of Coral Harbour, 27-year-old Toni Sweeting, and 33-year-old Delano Sweeting, pleaded not guilty to the four drug charges they faced in connection with their arrest at the Lynden Pindling International Airport.

Their family and friends looked on as the siblings entered Court no. 8 to appear before Deputy Chief Magistrate Carolita Bethell where they faced the following charges; taking preparatory steps to export dangerous drugs, possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply, conspiracy to export dangerous drugs and conspiracy to possess dangerous drugs with intent to supply.

The former officer, who was dismissed from the Royal Bahamas Police Force hours before the arraignment for an unrelated incident, and her brother, the president of Bahamas Beauty International, which was recently awarded the Miss Earth Bahamas pageant franchise, were claimed to have committed these crimes on April 19.

On the day in question, DEU officers, acting on information, arrested the 27-year-old officer and a 33-year-old man after they were found in possession of 3.275 lbs of cocaine at the LPIA Departure Lounge. The officer was on duty at the time. The drugs are worth an estimated $64,000.

After the two denied the charges, the deputy chief magistrate asked for the whereabouts of the third defendant listed on the court docket.

Police prosecutor, ASP Ercell Dorsett said Campbell was still at large and police were looking for him. The prosecutor asked that a warrant be issued for his arrest. The request was granted.

The Sweeting siblings were given an early date for trial, October 11, before being told that they would be denied bail as the court did not have the power to grant the bond concerning the charges.

However, before remanding them into custody at Her Majesty’s Prison, Deputy Chief Magistrate Bethell advised them of their right to apply to the Supreme Court for bail.

Attorneys Ian Cargill and Tonique Lewis appeared for the defendants.