Christopher Thomas, STAR Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Casey Jones, who was implicated in the discovery of cocaine on a cruise ship on February 23, 2011, will return before the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court in March.

Jones, who hails from Windsor Forest in Portland, is charged with possession of, dealing in, and attempting to import 28 pounds (12.73 kilograms) of cocaine. He is charged alongside Ricardo Chin, a former employee on the ship where the cocaine was discovered.

In court on Wednesday, Resident Magistrate (RM) Vivienne Harris was informed that the ship had just docked in Montego Bay that morning and that the investigating officer was waiting at the pier to collect an outstanding statement from the ship's security officer.

The court was also told that Jones' defence team has all other case documents ready for trial, and that the prosecution has four witnesses upon whom it will call to give evidence.

The case was put off for mention on March 5, at which time it is expected that the outstanding statement will be placed on file.

On February 26, 2011, following the discovery of the cocaine on the ship and Chin's arrest, Jones surrendered himself to the police in the company of his lawyer.

The cocaine was found in packages stored inside bathing suits in one of the ship's cabins, while the vessel was docked in Montego Bay.