By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

TWO Bahamian pilots were informed by Magistrate Andrew Forbes yesterday that they must begin their defence against allegations of their involvement in a $1 million drug seizure in five days time.

Darryl Bartlett, the 38-year-old son of a senior official in the Attorney General’s Office, and 49-year-old former policeman Murrilo Sullivan, are now scheduled to reappear in Magistrates Court on January 20 for the continuation of their case that was adjourned in October.

At the previous trial proceedings, Acting Director of Public Prosecutions Garvin Gaskin closed the case with the testimony of investigating officer Inspector Weymond Demeritte concerning the crimes alleged to have been committed on April 7, 2014.

Following this, Murrio Ducille, lawyer for both men, argued that the Crown had failed to make out a prima facie case against the accused.

Mr Ducille noted that the drugs were found in the cabin of a plane, not in its cockpit, which was owned by someone else.

In response, Mr Gaskin said there is sufficient evidence to require Bartlett and Sullivan to present a defence to the charges.

Their passenger on the plane, 24-year-old Michael Webster of Quebec, Canada, pleaded guilty to the charges he faced and was jailed for four years in July.

Bartlett and Sullivan each face three counts of possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply, conspiracy to possess dangerous drugs with intent to supply, conspiracy to import dangerous drugs and importation of dangerous drugs.

Officers and administrators of the Drug Enforcement Unit acted on a tip that led them to the Executive Flight Support section at the airport. A search was conducted of a Hawker Jet that had just arrived from Montreal, Canada. During the search, officers found four suitcases containing 149 lbs of marijuana, 17.4 lbs of ecstasy pills and 2.6 lbs of Hashish oil.

The marijuana has a street value of $670,000, the ecstasy pills are worth $360,000 and the hashish oil, $20,000.

The pair, who face up to seven years in prison if convicted, maintain their innocence.