A High Court judge has sentenced an Inland Revenue Department (IRD) audit officer to two years and eight months in jail, after he was found guilty of importing 41 pounds of cannabis concealed inside refrigerators shipped from Canada.
Justice Anne-Marie Smith imposed the sentence on Darien Anderson Isaac had been convicted in May following a judge-alone trial.
Isaac had been charged with possession of cannabis, possession of cannabis with intent to transfer, being concerned in the supplying of cannabis, importation of cannabis and drug trafficking. The illicit drug had an estimated street value of EC$536,500 (One EC dollar=US$0.37 cents).
The court heard that the drugs were discovered in June, 2020, at the Deep Water Harbour inside a shipment that Isaac had redirected into his own name. When Isaac went to collect the appliances, a police dog detected the concealed packages of cannabis
The court was told that Isaac had transferred more than EC$96,000 to individuals in Canada, which the court determined were likely connected to the drug operation.
In sentencing Isaac, Justice Smith described the offence as ‘premeditated and financially driven,’ citing the sophisticated method of concealment used to import the narcotics
Although Isaac had no prior convictions and was described in a probation report as a quiet, hardworking individual with strong community ties, the judge said the seriousness of the offence warranted a custodial sentence.
‘The Crown proved all elements of the offence, including that Mr. Isaac had constructive knowledge of the drugs,’ Justice Smith said in her ruling.