Archive for October 4th, 2013
Six men charged over 185lb Brac ganja bust
(CNS): Following the arrest of seven people last week in connection with a 185lb drug bust in Cayman Brac, police have now charged six of the seven men with various drug offences. The charges relate to the interception of a boat carrying ganja off the coast of the island on 27 September. Three men, aged 45, 46 and 49, have been charged with the importation of ganja and supplying ganja and they are expected in court tomorrow, Friday 4 October. Two other men, aged 28 and 33, were each charged with being concerned with the importation of ganja and possession of ganja with intent to supply. They both appeared in court on Wednesday 2 October and were remanded in custody.
A 23-year-old man has also been charged with the same offences but he is expected to appear in court tomorrow, while the seventh man, aged 21, has been released without charge.
The alleged drug dealers were rounded up by police last Friday when a canoe carrying ganja was intercepted by the Marine Unit at about 9:30 in the evening. Following the interception of the boat by officers on board the Guardian on routine patrol, a land and sea operation was launched involving officers from Cayman Brac Police Station, Special Constabulary, Drugs and Serious Crime Task Force and the Immigration Department.
Seven men, three Caymanians and four Jamaicans, were arrested. Two boats, two motor vehicles and about one hundred and eighty five pounds of ganja was seized.
Meetings planned to explain immigration reform
(CNS): Government will be talking to the people about what have become controversial plans to overhaul immigration by removing the key employee designation and essentially pushing rollover beyond the PR application process. With the potential regularization of more than 1500 foreign workers who would have been rolled over had they not received the Term Limit Exemption Permits, at a time of growing local employment, the new government has encountered some resistance to its plans despite campaigning on a platform of change during the run up to the May General election. With a demonstration planned against the immigration amendment bill for 11 October the government is planning a series of town hall meetings starting in West Bay.
According to a release from the premier’s office the meetings will “help constituents and residents understand the proposals being made in Immigration Reforms,” it stated.
The employment initiatives under way to get Caymanians in to work will also be discussed at the public meetings which will start in the District of West Bay at 7pm Tuesday, 8 October at the John A. Cumber School Hall and the public is urged to attend.
Officials said meetings in the remaining Districts will be announced as dates are set.