REAL NEWS: Drugs allegedly have gone missing from the old St. John’s Magistrates Court building, and the Police have launched an investigation into their disappearance.
A contractor is now engaged in work at the High and Temple Streets location, and reports say he notified the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) that two padlocks on the vault had been damaged.
The offence reportedly occurred sometime between the mornings of October 8 and October 10, when some unknown person allegedly used a hard implement to pry off the padlocks.
The scene was processed for fingerprints; but, initially, the Police and the Supervisor at the Court were unable to say if anything had been stolen.
However, following detailed checks, it was discovered that drugs that had been tendered to the Court as exhibits in drug cases – and were being stored for destruction – had been removed from the vault.
Tools belonging to the contractor were also taken, it is alleged.
Reports say the Court’s Supervisor is the person in charge of the safe and the only person with keys and access.
A source tells REAL News that the Police obtained a search warrant on Wednesday, October 12, to search the homes of two men who are working on the building.
Meanwhile, the source claims that since the Court was relocated to the community centre at Knuckle Block – where there is no secure room to store exhibits and other evidence – a request was made for a container in which to store them at the new premises.
According to the source, the former Director of Public Works, Lucine Hanley, provided the container in short order. However, since he is no longer on the job, the retrofitting work has been dragged out.
Although the container is on site, only the air-conditioning units have been put in place. The unit still requires the building of shelves and the connection of electricity – all of which, the source says, is taking too long to complete.
It was noted that since Hanley left the Ministry, Court officials cannot get anything done in a timely manner.
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Dis smell like “REAL NEWS” tabloid “journalists” story
SMH: A way dee drugs garne? Did you steal um? Did you sell um?
Chain of custody tampered evidence
Thieves breaking into businesses and properties. Tons of marijuana coming into the country. People being held up in broad daylight. Drugs and evidence being stolen from the courthouse. Antigua is being taken over by crack heads.
Nukkle Block Court has more parking, plenty seating and decent washrooms.
High St Court is no longer convenient.
We are in a very serious crisis. I met this very nice Christian gentleman . Then one day he said I was an criminal back home. I came to Antigua and became a Christian as soon as I got out of prison. I was honestly shocked when told but I will trust him with my life because I sincerely believe he is a change person . A next time I was in the company of a Jamaican man many years ago and he said a few moments ago I saw a notorious criminal from back home . How in the world did he get here ?
Mind you , I am not suggesting in anyway that the foreigners are all criminals or the only criminals here. In fact scores of Antigua young men and women are involved in criminal activities at all levels. My mind ran on Bigfoot the Vincy police CID officer that tried to rob the casino and had a exchange with the police. He got shot remember and tried to suggest that he came on the scene and got involved by running after the criminal and got shot. He refused to surgically remove the bullet to prevent the police from getting the evidence that he was the bandit and was shot by the police.
Anyhow to add to the growing number of local criminals Antigua doors are two wide open. Time to stem the influx of none national. Who here and legally abiding stay but no more. I am not talking about Caribbean Nathinal only but the White Europeans , the Chinese, the Canadians and Australians , Dutch, Indians – by the way them Indians with the immigration issue still here ?
More and more Middle Easterners . We need to protect Antigua , we need to protect our people, we need to save our lands. Our people are being displaced.
We have our young people not working. Our education system failing, especially our young men. Our politicians all arguing about economic advancement and forgetting civic pride and youth holistic development. Our churches have failed because they too have become so materialistic. Especially those privately owned churches. All about collecting money. So the criminals don’t respect the church anymore. The courts have failed too – poor people children go to Jail and became hard core criminals. All the politicians and civil servants white collar crimes are getting off scotch free.
There is a PS , the one in the government ministry with the materials. There is a building being built in St.John’s . The ministry have not only materials but trades men and equipment and concrete too Hmmmmmmmm. To stop criminal activities we have to start from the top – walking around in Jacket and ties – PS’s too , politicians mostly, ambassadors PS. One overseas ambassador went to prison because the USA don’t differentiate. Corruption breeds criminals!
Well said 💯
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