MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica — A 63-year-old Jamaican man previously charged with cocaine possession found himself facing additional drug trafficking allegations in St James Parish Court last Wednesday. Gregrie Excel, who was already navigating the legal system for a prior drug offense, now stands accused of transporting four pounds of cocaine.
The case unfolded on February 15 at approximately 10:00 am when law enforcement officers, acting on received intelligence, intercepted a blue hatchback vehicle near Queens Drive close to the airport roundabout. The driver, identified as Excel, complied with police instructions to stop. During subsequent searches of both his person and vehicle, authorities discovered a brown shopping bag concealed beneath the spare tire in the trunk.
Upon examination, the bag revealed a black rectangular object which, when inspected, contained two packages holding a white powdery substance. Field testing confirmed the material to be cocaine. During police questioning, Excel allegedly made several revealing statements, claiming he was transporting the drugs for a businessman acquaintance who operated a restaurant. He further explained that he expected payment of approximately $3 million Jamaican dollars to settle fines related to his existing court case.
The defendant’s legal representative, attorney Martyn Thomas, contested certain aspects of the prosecution’s narrative while advocating for bail. Thomas emphasized his client’s ties to the community and argued that Excel posed no flight risk, suggesting conditional release would allow him to organize his affairs pending trial.
However, prosecution officials strongly opposed bail, citing Excel’s previous bail status at the time of the alleged offense and expressing concerns about potential reoffending. The court clerk noted the substantial evidence against Excel, including his own alleged admissions and his connection to the individual who supposedly enlisted him for drug transportation.
Presiding Judge Natiesha Fairclough-Hylton expressed particular concern about the possibility of Excel committing additional offenses if released. The court has remanded Excel in custody until March 18, when a formal bail hearing will convene. Several evidentiary documents, including forensic certifications and chain of custody statements, remain outstanding in the developing case.