BVI News Online
TORTOLA – Lawyers for Hillary Toussaint, a Dominican facing drug charges, were successful in their bid to get him bail, which was granted in the sum of $250,000 with one signed surety by Senior Magistrate Valerie Stephens on Friday.
Toussaint is jointly charged with Ronald Weisel with importation of drugs, possession with intent to supply, and possession of cocaine.
The two men were caught with some $5.6 million worth of cocaine in BVI waters on December 31, 2008 by local police officers.
In handing down her decision, Magistrate Stephens said she had to take into account that the trial was stalled due to Weisel’s need to be evaluated for his mental stability.
“And at this stage I cannot say when the trial will continue,” Magistrate Stephens said.
Against this backdrop, Toussaint was granted bail. Other stipulations include him having to report to Road Town police station Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays between the hours of 6 am and 6 pm and surrender all travel documents.
Toussaint is represented by Patrick Thompson and Douglas St. Clair.
Meanwhile, Magistrate Stephens is awaiting Dr. June Samuel’s psychiatric report before she makes a determination as to whether Weisel is fit to change his plea.
The US citizen residing in the USVI wants to plead not guilty by reason of mental illness.
However, when Weisel informed the Magistrate in court Friday a pastor had written a psychological report but prison officials refused to take it, Magistrate Stephens responded, “Sir I have a qualified doctor to deal with your mental fitness… the court will rely on that not on what some pastor say.”
Weisel and Toussaint were caught with 56 kilograms of cocaine aboard a vessel ‘Captain Ron’ on Old Year’s evening [December 31, 2008] around 11:45 pm.
According to the facts the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force Marine Unit and the Anti-Drug and Violent Crime Task Force stopped and boarded the USVI registered vessel off Salt Island.
The boat was impounded and a search of the boat with the use of the Police K-9 Unit led to the recovery and seizure of approximately 56 kilos of cocaine hidden in a rear compartment of the vessel.
The estimated street market value of the recovered drugs is $5.6 million.
Both men have to return to court on June 2, 2010.
when they stop dominicans from entering their country, say is haitians that cause it, bunch of vagabonds.
good comment!!
dirty 5.6 million.wow,what were they going to do with that much money?
Mr. Goldilocks.
mr. not easy. all dat drugs mr. on dat boat with.dominican again well sah
These are the people who are making us think they are living big in the US, and all the time, they are big drug kingpins
These are the type of people coming home, and making us think they are living big in the US, and all the time, they are big drug king pins.
eh beh d/ca’s cannot go place and stay quiet… shates…
mental problem to push drugs?
i know, stupid excuse. Make an example of dem.
well wellwell i guess that boat was running on drugs to power it man them mand bold he not mental at all he could go and fetch drugs now cause they hold his a$$ he mental wicked jail him
…and we tend to wonder why immigration making life hard for us out dere…is ppl like dat that setting the precedence…
dominican in bvi again
Dominicans really don’t have work to do.
To No Name in BVI: I am sure I have work to do. So it’s best your comment say ” this Dominican really don’t have work to do” Don’t label the whole lot. Just keeping it real
dominicans have work to do self
some of them are jus a bunch of lazy … who want fast money
so when he on bail where he gonna stay in tola,he have papers for tola to be reporting every mon,wen,fri
That is a good question. I guess he will get time LOL
Maybe by his aunt cuz his aunt has a property in Road Town, that she used to sign the bail for him. I don’t believe that he will stay inTortola at all.