A St Philip sailor accused of possessing and importing 121.4 kilogrammes of cannabis is due to have his case put before a jury next Thursday, more than eight years after the drugs were found aboard a yacht.[1] Walter Oneal Prescod of Emerald Park East, St Philip has pleaded not guilty to possessing 121.4kg of cannabis within Barbados’ territorial waters, importing it and having a traffickable quantity on 23 July 2018.[1] The 63-year-old denies possessing the cannabis within Barbados’ territorial waters, importing it and having a traffickable quantity on that date.[2] His trial is being heard before Justice Laurie-Ann Smith-Bovell and a nine-member jury.[2]
Prescod told the No. 4 Supreme Court that the discovery of drugs aboard the yacht on which he worked came as a surprise.[2][3] Prescod, a sailor connected with the yacht Ecstasy, said he sailed from Barbados to Grenada for ship repairs.[2][3] The boat then remained at the dock for six weeks before he left Grenada and returned to Barbados.[2] He said that after six or eight days home in Barbados he and Mr Rogers returned to Grenada to bring the boat up, were joined by Mr Herbert, and the three sailed back together.[2][3] He said Coast Guard officers searched his belongings and then the boat in front of Mr Rogers, found illegal substances, and he denied knowing about them because the discovery was a surprise.[2][3]
Acting Director of Public Prosecutions Alliston Seale SC and acting Senior State Counsel Paul Prescod represent the State, while Sade Harris and Elan Greenidge represent Prescod.[1] After the State closed its case Prescod opted to make an unsworn statement from the dock.[2][3] He recalled being taken to Oistins Police Station where his cell phone was taken from him.[2][3] Justice Smith-Bovell is scheduled to deliver her summation on Thursday before turning the case over to the nine-member jury.[1] The defence has closed its case and closing arguments are set for next Thursday.[2][3]
Prescod, a sailor aboard the yacht Ecstasy, said Rogers offered him, in front of Mr Herbert, to take the rap so Rogers could get home, and that he agreed because the money would help pay bills while his wife was sick.[3]
