INVESTIGATIONS by the Jamaica Observer have so far shown that at least one of the accused men charged with trafficking in ganja last week, might have been set up.
Assistant coach (not national coach as others have stated) of the Antigua & Barbuda national football team Derrick Edwards, 49, popularly known as “Pretty Boy” in his native land, along with equipment coordinator Danny Benjamin, were arrested and charged as they and members of the football squad prepared to leave the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston last Monday, following what many considered the positive result of a 1-1 draw against the much higher-rated Jamaica national team, better known as the Reggae Boyz.
Both were taken into custody by the police, as the remaining members of the touring squad left Jamaica’s shores, questioned, and by Wednesday they were charged with possession of ganja, dealing in ganja, taking steps to export ganja, and conspiracy. On Thursday, Parish Judge Vaughn Smith refused Benjamin bail on the basis of a statement by the investigating officer that he had been seen on a surveillance camera at the team’s hotel in the room that stored the travelling bags of team members, and had even packed what appeared to be clothes in one of them.
The judge, however, granted bail to Edwards, a prolific former star forward for SAP Football Club in the Antigua Premier Division when he played from the 1980s, and went on to represent the Antigua national team from 1988 to 2003. He has been allowed to stay with officials of the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) during the time of his bail, and, like Benjamin, will be back in court on Tuesday, April 10.
Information reaching the Sunday Observer suggests that Edwards was bewildered that his luggage was found to contain the drug in two rectangular packages, said to weigh a shade under four pounds, as he was, over the years, not known to be involved in either smoking or selling of ganja or any other substance, including tobacco, inside or outside of the tiny Eastern Caribbean island.
Word later emerged that the drug belonged to someone else in the squad, who has since flown back to Antigua. Officials in that country have told the Sunday Observerthat they are aware of who the drug belonged to and were conducting further investigations in respect of the individual.
“I don’t know anything about the involvement of Danny (Benjamin) and I just cannot comment on that because I don’t know the man, but I know for sure that ‘Pretty Boy’ is innocent,” said a high-ranking member of the Antigua & Barbuda football fraternity. “I won’t swear for everybody, but I know that Pretty Boy is not one that would get mixed up in those things. He is a clean and decent man who has represented his country over the years with distinction and I know too well that at this stage in his life he would never go and mess up himself like this,” the official said.
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Here I was one of them reaching to conclusion and casting judgement before knowing all the facts. It is very wrong on this time and age how information is presented to us and we form our opinion on people and things with little or no information, The media is guilty of spreading this half news info big time. And I believe these thing are done deliberately.
From the sideline. Only a true man admits when he is misled. However it is our duty to discern information and analyse the perspective of the writer. In my own walk of life, I try my best to hold judgement the first time I encounter any situation. I do not believe in first impression. I am his niece, I had no knowledge that he was one of the persons involved. My first reaction was to pray for the situation and place it into the hand of God. May I suggest that for the sake of nation Nation building and for the furtherance of healthy relationships that we try STOP, Read, Listen then read before we make hasty conclusion on peoples lives. He is innocent. The gates of Hell will tumble. We thank All those who have supported us in this ordeal. We await his return so that he can be reunited with his wife, mother, sisters, children, nieces, nephews etc. Charmaine Meade-Jarvis.
Yardie nah lub nobody bang dem. They like to “set up” people and in some cases even kill you if they see you as threat. Basins and envy is 4real.
Hope these guys keep the faith and trust Jesus Christ who will NEVER leave us nor forsake us.
#ComeHomeSoon
You jumping to conclusions Jamaican didn’t set up them is your own people did that because you all bad minded against each other.
No need for anyone to “jump to conclusions” since Jamaicans have a REPUTATION!!
A reputation of what? Why is there the incessant effort to import it into your beloved land, if no one uses it there? Millions of people travel in and out of Jamaica. A few are reckless enough not to be responsible for their own luggage. Also, a few are under the impression we are an underdeveloped reckless set of fools and that airport security is easy.
Such nonsense. In the absence of this fellow calling a name(it has been done before). Like was there someone responsible for all team luggage? Then he must face the music. For someone who has played sports and is a seasoned traveler. Rule number one is do not carry stuff for anyone, that’s why there is UPS. Second pack your own bags.
Thirdly, when this incident occurred, why did the head of the delegation abandon his troops?
If they know who the drugs belong to, then send him back to Jamaica to answer the drugs charges. Be a man and man up.
Whoever procured and stashed the drugs has personal ties to Jamaica. One does not enter a foreign country and purchase that large amount of a prohibited and controlled substance without contacts or links in that country. I had difficulty finding ackee and jerk chicken in Kingston on my own and needed the assistance of a native. To acquire marijuana should prove much more difficult. That the drugs were found in two most senior members of the teams luggage, the non value of the drugs ($14000.00), the small amount of drugs and the manner in which it was stored points to an extremely stupid and ill informed chicken head team member who has strong ties to Jamaica.
It does not matter, and I dare say without being disrespectful….. Its not hard to find ackee and jerk anywhere in Jamaica. As for drugs, ask any user, hard or soft drugs. They know how to find contacts in a minute. They know which hotel clerk, maid, taxi driver or whoever. Its not right but not complicated.
Well the law said they know who it belongs to so let us see .they didn’t expect that has a team the would have gone through that so someone put it there without he know that has the head of the they wouldn’t check him.and has a Jamaican I hate when people say things about any country because ganja is every where.the culprit is one of the Antigua team members someone see are know .this need to be investigated by the police in antigua.the person should be block and never to represent the country.i live here and it hurts alot.
Thank you. The airport security at both Intl Airports in Jamaica is very tight. Contrary to myths and stuff. Even when people are arrested in Antigua or say Barbados coming from Jamaica, usually the Police know and send the tip to the other country.
Being a team member gives no special treatment where baggage going out is concerned. However, it’s simple. The team manager or equipment manager must be responsible for joint luggage, equipment etc. For personal luggage, trust not even your shadow.
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