file - Samples of cocaine packages.
Christopher Thomas, STAR Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
A Dutch national who pleaded guilty to attempting to smuggle more than nine pounds of cocaine was remanded for sentencing tomorrow, when he appeared in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court on Friday.
Fifty-year-old chef Patrick Martens, of Holland, is charged with possession of, dealing in and attempting to export nine and a quarter pounds of cocaine.
The allegations are that on December 17, 2014, approximately 11:20 p.m., Martens was preparing to board a flight to Brussels in Belgium, while at the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay.
During a routine search of Martens' suitcase, the officer found a false compartment in the bottom. When opened, a rectangular package was reportedly found, and when opened,it cantained a white substance resembling cocaine. Martens was subsequently arrested.
In court on Friday, Martens' attorney, Henry McCurdy, asked presiding magistrate Carolyn Tie to be lenient in sentencing the defendant.
"He (Martens) has no previous convictions, and he had wanted to throw himself at the mercy of the court, from his first day in court," said McCurdy. "He came to Jamaica, his suitcase was damaged, and he was given a suitcase by a gentleman with instructions to call a certain number once he got to Holland," the attorney continued.
RM Tie subsequently set the case for sentencing on January 27, and ordered Martens to be remanded until that time.
No comments:
Post a Comment