Today two men who were allegedly busted with heroine walked out of court free and clear of charges.
The supposed drug bust made headlines in December of last year. Police intercepted a vehicle at Bel China Bridge and inside they found 11 kilos of what they believed to be heroin.
The case went to trail today before Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser. But, before the trial could even really pick up steam, it was struck out. That's because police were unable to prove that the brown sandy-like substance was indeed heroine. Their attorney Herbert Panton told us more:,…
Herbert Panton - Attorney for Richard McDonald
"At the time the undercover police officer tested, you know they have these portable testing kit; tested the substance and instead of the substance turning green which would have indicated heroine, it turned brown. So that from December of last year the police knew that what they had in their possession was 12 kilos of brown sands and they knew that from December of last year. They have dragged this matter on my client has lost tremendous business as a tour operator nobody in the industry wants to deal with him."
"Today the police still could not produce a certificate from the forensic services indicating that what was in those 12 packages was in fact heroine and given that reality the magistrate upheld our application and the matter was struck out."
Emanuel Pech
"Now earlier you had indicated intentions of suing the police department for really destroying the business of your client. Is this still the intent?"
Herbert Panton - Attorney for Richard McDonald
"Well I will sit down with my client and take instructions but the reality is for the last 7, 8, 9 months he had persona non grata in the industry. All his connections in San Pedro he has lost, all his connection in Caye Caulker he has lost. The BTB sat on his tour operator license for 3, 4 months all because before the police had any factual evidence in hand they proceeded to plaster this man's name in the media."
Richard McDonald - Vindicated of Drug Charge
"There's no sum as to your character you know and the business that I provide was something more than professionalism. It was something like VIP all the way so we had key resorts that we use to do business with. Unfortunately when this happened the resorts they have a name they have to keep as well so there is no mal feelings towards them because it’s not their fault, it is the fault of the police department. So like my lawyer said we're going to sit down and figure out just exactly how much we've lost and how much the government will have to face."
Emanuel Pech
"So you'll still have intentions of suing back the government for the losses that you have incurred?"
Richard McDonald - Vindicated of Drug Charge
"Well of course without a doubt."
Both men were freed of all charges. Now McDonald is left to repair his damaged reputation as a tour operator.
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