Delays in cocaine testing worries magistrate, Weekes

At least one magistrate and another officer of the law have raised concern over the length of time it takes to get cocaine tested or analyzed for drug trials in local courts.

Magistrate Ossie Lewis raised that issue in a recent court hearing. He expressed dissatisfaction in the amount of time it takes to get cocaine tests to be done in order for trials to begin.

Cocaine testing, which according to Police Spokesman Inspector Claude Weekes normally occurs in Barbados since Dominica lacks the proper facility, is often delayed.

“The magistrate was very concerned with respect to how tardy it is when it comes to cocaine cases. He wasn’t amused by virtue of the fact that it takes so long to get the cocaine tested. We don’t have the facilities readily here in Dominica, like some of our sub-region colleagues in the OECS, and the testing is done overseas, predominantly in Barbados,” Weekes said.

“There are several countries sending to Barbados, hence the delay, and that is justifiable but at the end of the day we still have to remember that the defendant or accused is  charged and they are expecting their case to be called and it is up to us to prove our case beyond a reasonable doubt,” he stated.

Weekes said that this physical evidence is essential to such court matters hence the importance of speeding up the process.

“To prove our case we have to prove it beyond a reasonable doubt and the physical evidence, namely the alleged cocaine, has to be chemically analyzed or tested by an expert,” he stated.

He continued, “Justice delayed is justice denied. The faster that a matter can be dispensed with it would be better, but like everything else it’s not a world of perfection but we have to work with what we have, but there has to be standards. There must be standards.”

Copyright 2012 Dominica News Online, DURAVISION INC. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.

Disclaimer: The comments posted do not necessarily reflect the views of DominicaNewsOnline.com and its parent company or any individual staff member. All comments are posted subject to approval by DominicaNewsOnline.com. We never censor based on political or ideological points of view, but we do try to maintain a sensible balance between free speech and responsible moderating.

We will delete comments that:

  • contain any material which violates or infringes the rights of any person, are defamatory or harassing or are purely ad hominem attacks
  • a reasonable person would consider abusive or profane
  • contain material which violates or encourages others to violate any applicable law
  • promote prejudice or prejudicial hatred of any kind
  • refer to people arrested or charged with a crime as though they had been found guilty
  • contain links to "chain letters", pornographic or obscene movies or graphic images
  • are off-topic and/or excessively long

See our full comment/user policy/agreement.

19 Comments

  1. kitty
    February 22, 2011

    they use the drugs an have to find more on the street to send up because if there is a court case on the 23 of a mouth the lab should no to work on that. so is crap weekes talkin do ur work inside an then do it outside an all u will no why it take so long.

  2. Observant
    February 11, 2011

    Are they really taking time to TEST or are they TASTING it themselves?

  3. mac
    February 11, 2011

    The Venezeulans coke market has grown since they team up with Dominica. so why should they want to test its only a smoke screen . DOMINICA IS NOW THE COKE CAPITAL OF THE CARIBBEAN

  4. curious
    February 10, 2011

    for those who a quick to correct others i meant let them paro test it slight typing error

  5. curious
    February 10, 2011

    let them paro est it i’m sure they will.

  6. Disclaimer
    February 10, 2011

    We need to have this type of testing facility. Set in motion to obtain one. But I agree with what you said.

  7. Negr mawon
    February 10, 2011

    We shouldn’t be surprised. Tha’s the way it is in Dominica.Mediocrity and low standards is
    part of our “CULTURE”.An illegal prime minister, an innefficient public service, a non functional
    legal system, environmantal degradation in a Nature Island……and the list of LOW STANDARDS
    goes on. We like it like this in Dominica.

  8. praise HIM
    February 10, 2011

    well all kknow why they are saying that.they are al playing games, if hey want they can speed up de process.how comes they don’t have a testig lab yet? so much coke that is on island, money talks bull shit walks

  9. Tech
    February 10, 2011

    Why not let the Dominica Bureau of Standards do the testing at the new facility at Stockfarm? They should be able to handle the chemical tests. I’m sure we’d save money to test it locally.

  10. petite soufriere
    February 9, 2011

    because they want to take there share first.

  11. surprised reader
    February 9, 2011

    that’s true country, i agree with you.

  12. BORN DOMINICAN
    February 9, 2011

    GIVE MANNI THE JOB

  13. way papa
    February 9, 2011

    Why do we always have to base our status on others…”We don’t have the facilities readily here in Dominica, like some of our sub-region colleagues in the OECS” we don’t have an international Airport like some others, everything is like others, like others, why don’t we start setting trends and get the things we need before we are left behind in the dark if we are not already there.

  14. Muslim_Always
    February 9, 2011

    Get your own stuff Dominica, you are supposed to be an independent nation! Bajans will always cut style on us.

  15. ya
    February 9, 2011

    so much smokers it have in the country what tester again allu need

    • 4H
      February 9, 2011

      lol……….biggest joke

  16. real
    February 9, 2011

    by far this is one of our biggest problems. in dominica. every process seems to have a very long delay before any effective results can be produced. example: man remanded and because of such things spends months to years in jail due to the systems ineffective methods.

  17. Dread!
    February 9, 2011

    Maybe Dominica needs a proposal for a testing facility and more professionals to handle that; we must learn to depend on ourselves and find ways for pulling the people who are knowledgeable when it comes to these matters!!!

  18. Country
    February 9, 2011

    How about the fire at Mr. Emmanuel’s house is the case all dead now?

    I am anxiously waiting to hear about this matter, as according to Weekes, “Justice delayed is justice denied. The faster that a matter can be dispensed, the better.”

Post a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

:) :-D :wink: :( 8-O :lol: :-| :cry: 8) :-? :-P :-x :?: :oops: :twisted: :mrgreen: more »

 characters available