Pair Back on Trial for $5M Drug Seizure in 2015

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Two men are once again facing trial over a 2015 five million dollar drug seizure in after an appellate court quashed a permanent stay.

Police arrested Howard Rolle and Eddie Bannister on July 15, 2015 after they allegedly found 5,050 pounds of marijuana on the boat they were on.

They men pleaded not guilty on July 17, 2015 and a trial was set for November 10, 2015.

However, the case did not begin on the adjourned date and was adjourned 22 times without any evidence being heard.

In 2022, the men filed a constitutional motion alleging that their right to a fair trial within a reasonable time had been breached.

Senior Justice Cheryl Grant-Thompson ruled in their favor and ordered the matter permanently stayed.

The Appeal Court ruled the judge was wrong to stay the matter as most of the delay was caused by the defendants’ lawyers seeking adjournments.

The Court ruled that the men had not been prejudiced to the extent that they could not have a fair trial.