A pastor and another man are now before the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court after being accused of conspiring to export 4.5kg (10lb) of ganja to Trinidad and Tobago.

Pastor Thomas Pearson and his co-accused Sanguanetti Bryan, are before the court on ganja charges. Pearson was not brought before the court yesterday, but Bryan was remanded. They return on Friday.

It is alleged that Pearson from Stony Hill, St.Andrew, was preparing to board a flight to Trinidad when he was stopped and searched by airport security. It is alleged that the security officials detected a strange bulge and after further searching, four rectangular parcels containing compressed ganja were found strapped to both his thighs.

custody

It is alleged that under caution, Pearson told police that he would cooperate with them. It is further alleged that while he was in police custody, Pearson received a call from Bryan, who had reportedly taken him to the airport. It is also alleged that Bryan asked the accused if everything was going well and if he had made it through .

Pearson informed Bryan that he had missed his flight and both made arrangements to meet. The investigating officer told the court that Bryan fled when he saw the police, however, his car was later intercepted after the police got the license plate number from Pearson.

When the matter was mentioned in court yesterday, Bryan's lawyer said all his client was guilty of is giving Pearson a ride. He said because of Pearson's occupation his client had no reasons not to trust him.

The police, however, allege that Bryan was very aware of the plan to export the ganja.