Christopher Thomas, STAR Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

A final date for mention has been set in a 2010 drug-smuggling case involving a policeman and an airport employee, following the defendants' latest appearance in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday.

Vincent Saddler, a former police sergeant, is charged with conspiracy to export ganja; while Donovan Clarke, a former Sangster International Airport employee, is charged with possession and dealing in cocaine and conspiracy to export ganja. Their matter has been set for December 18.

It is alleged that on December 1, 2010, Saddler and Clarke were arrested during an operation by the Anti-Corruption Branch in relation to alleged narcotics trafficking between the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay and the Lester B Pearson International Airport in Toronto, Canada. Nine alleged co-conspirators were also arrested in Canada.

Yesterday, it was revealed that Saddler and Clarke's attorneys, Valerie Neita-Robinson and Dionne Maylor, were absent.

Additionally, the court was told that the assigned prosecutors from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions were not ready to proceed despite yesterday being the fifth date previously set for trial.

Resident Magistrate Natalie Hart-Hines subsequently extended the two defendants' bails and set the matter for December 18, for trial or dismissal.