By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A MAN celebrating his 24th birthday yesterday found himself before the Magistrate’s Court facing charges in connection with a $1.5 million drug seizure off the coast of Long Island this week.

Amal Pratt of Fox Hill, with Randy Munnings, 20, of Balls Alley, appeared before Magistrate Andrew Forbes facing four drug-related charges; possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply, importation of dangerous drugs, conspiracy to import dangerous drugs and conspiracy to possess dangerous drugs with intent to supply.

Both pleaded not guilty to the crimes alleged to have been committed on April 23, when a joint task force of police units arrested the two men after they found 1,500lbs of marijuana in a fast boat.

Pratt and Munnings will return before Magistrate Forbes on September 9 to stand trial in connection with the seizure. “In the interim, given the nature of the charges before this court, you will be denied bail,” the magistrate said.

He advised the two accused of their right to apply for bail to the Supreme Court before remanding them to Her Majesty’s Prison, Fox Hill.

As the two men were being escorted out of the Nassau and South Streets court complex, relatives of Pratt wished him a “Happy Birthday!” as he was hurried away to a holding cell.