$2m bail for duo over smuggling plot

Onlookers in Magistrates’ Court gasped in shock after Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner set $2 million bail each for a pair charged with conspiracy.

Nicky Tucker, 27, of Warwick, and Joan D’Estelle-Roe, 27, of Sandy’s were jointly charged with conspiring to import with Victor Roberts and others, heroin, cocaine, cannabis, cannabis resin, 100 rounds of nine millimeter ammunition and 100 rounds of 40 millimeter ammunition, between a date unknown and July 18, 2011.

D’Estelle-Roe was also charged with possessing cannabis on January 28, 2013. Tucker was also charged with possessing US and local cash, jewelry  and three gold bars totaling almost $78,000 believed to be obtained by proceeds of crime between December 5, 2012 and February 21, 2013.

He is further charged with possessing $1,538.25 in local currency believed to be criminal proceeds on November 20, 2013, using $107,025 cash between a date unknown and February 21, 2013, and $27,143.26 between a date unknown and February 20, 2013 which were whole or in part gained by criminal activity.

Neither were required to enter a plea as the charges are indictable and must be heard in Supreme Court. 

After extensive arguments from Richard Horseman for D’Estelle-Roe and Simone Smith-Bean for Tucker, Mr. Warner granted each of them bail in the amount of $2 million with one like surety. They must also report to Hamilton Police Station every Monday, surrender travel documents and wear electronic monitoring devices.

They are set to reappear in Magistrates’ Court on July 29.