A man claiming to be a pastor was hauled before the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday to answer to several charges relating to cocaine importation.

Charged with possession of approximately 131lbs of cocaine, taking steps to import cocaine, dealing in cocaine and conspiring with others to import the dangerous drug is self-proclaimed clergy man, Kevin Newell.

He entered a not guilty plea to the charges.

The court was told that when Newell landed in Jamaica after travelling from Panama, his luggage was checked and the drug was alleged to have been found hidden in a false compartment in the suitcase.

Newell told the Magistrate, "As a preacher and minister of the gospel, I wouldn't tell a lie your honour... I didn't know the suitcase contained cocaine...When I opened the suitcase in Panama it contained women clothing, slippers and other female stuff."

Explanation

After his statement, Resident Magistrate Georgianna Frazer asked Newell, "Who gave you the suitcase?", to which he replied, "A man name Roy gave me the luggage to bring to Jamaica, you honour."

RM Frazer went on to explain to the accused that the method he used was not the correct procedure when taking goods from people and that his assertion that he was a pastor or preacher had no impact in her courtroom.

Newell was remanded in custody until November 13 and ordered to give his fingerprint to the police.

Appears in court to answer charges