STATEMENT BY

THE OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTION

10^th MAY, 2022

TARIK AARON CONVICTED OF POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED DRUG WITH INTENT TO SUPPLY

Tarik Aaron was convicted by Her Honour, Senior Magistrate Richards on the charge of Possession of a Controlled Drug with intent to Supply, which is a violation of section 7 (2) of the Drug (Prevention of Misuse) Act(Cap 178) ( as amended). 

The decision, which was handed down by the Senior Magistrate on Wednesday, 4 May 2022, was as a result of a joint operation between Her Majesty’s Customs and the United States of America Customs Border Patrol on Tuesday, February 2, 2016, where Mr. Aaron and another person were apprehended following hot pursuit of Mr. Aaron’s vessel. Several kilos of cocaine were discarded during the pursuit, prior to being apprehended by law enforcement.  Law Enforcement retrieved the discarded items from the water and forensic testing confirmed that the items retrieved from the water were connected to some of the items recovered from the Mr Aaron’s vessel. A total of 27 Kilograms of cocaine, with an estimated street value of USD $2,700,000.00, was recovered during the operation. 

Following a plea of not guilty, the matter proceeded to trial, which concluded with the Senior Magistrate convicting Mr. Aaron.   Mr. Aaron’s sentencing hearing has been scheduled for Wednesday, June 8, 2022.   Mr. Aaron was remanded to Her Majesty’s Prison.  Mr. Aaron was represented by PST Law Chambers during the trial.  The matter was delayed as a result of the 2017 Hurricanes that destroyed Court Facilities and the COVID-9 Pandemic which has hindered the progress of criminal trials.