Antiguan magistrate wants answers about deportation of Jamaican

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua- Magistrate Dane Hamilton has called for an investigation after Antigua's Immigration Department deported a Jamaican who has a matter pending before the court.

Raheem Thomas and Yakeem Scott are facing multiple charges including possession of cannabis, but when the matter came up before the court, it was informed that Scott was no longer in the country. The duo face charges that include possession of 10 pounds of cannabis, possession with intent to transfer, importation of the class B drug, forging a bill of lading and uttering forged document.

It is alleged that they attempted to smuggle the drugs through the port. After being arrested and charged the two men were taken before the court and were granted bail in the sum of EC$80,000 with a number of conditions, including surrendering their travel documents and reporting to the nearest police station.

The Immigration Department was also notified due to the fact that Scott is Jamaican. Immigration officer Gregson Gardner, who appeared in court on behalf of the Chief Immigration Officer, told Magistrate Hamilton that Scott was processed by an immigration officer, but he was not in possession of a passport. Scott reportedly told the officer that he was a Jamaican.

Gardner said that the detainee was given an option to go before the court and be deported from the country or to leave voluntarily, and he opted to do the latter. Scott's ticket was reportedly purchased, and he left the same day, August 25. Records show that Scott was the holder of a valid work permit. Gardner told the court that the error was only brought to the attention of the Immigration Department the day before the matter was set to be heard.