A man and woman accused of conspiring to export ganja from Jamaica appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday.

Charged with possession of, dealing in, taking steps to export ganja and conspiring to export ganja are Donnette Francis and Thomas Brown.

bag searched

The court was told that Francis was at the Norman Manley International Airport preparing to leave the island when her bag was searched and marijuana found inside. It is alleged that Brown was implicated after it was revealed that he had taken her to the airport.

When the two came before the court, Francis said she did not know that ganja was in the bag. She pleaded not guilty to possession. She, however, pleaded guilty to dealing in ganja. As it relates to the charge of trying to export the drug, she told the court that she had been given ganja to swallow, but had left it at home. She said she handed those drugs over to the police. She, however, maintained that she was not aware of the drug in the bag.

Brown told the court that he was the one who got the bag for the co-accused. He said, however, that he did not know of its contents because the drugs were discreetly packed in a secret compartment. He said he was not a troublemaker and had his elderly mother to care for.

He explained that if he had known that there was drugs in the bag, he would not have come back to the airport when he got a call from Francis saying she had missed the flight.

The matter is to be mentioned on June 8 to determine exactly what revised charges Francis will face. Both were remanded.