A 54-year-old man described as both a barber and a pastor has been remanded into custody after a court ruled he posed a flight risk following his arrest on multiple drug trafficking charges at VC Bird International Airport.
Dean Robert Gould appeared before the court this week, where his attorney, Lawrence Daniel, identified his client as a barber. According to Antigua.news, official reports also indicate Gould serves as a pastor.
The court determined that Gould had failed to demonstrate sufficient ties to Antigua and Barbuda. He holds only a United States passport and was unable to verify his claimed residential address at Cedar Grove. The court has ordered him to return on June 29 with proof of address.
Gould faces charges of being concerned in the supply of cannabis, unlawful possession of cannabis, importation of cannabis, possession with intent to transfer, and drug trafficking.
The charges stem from his arrival on June 13 aboard American Airlines Flight AA2579. A police K9 unit alerted officers to two black duffle bags in his possession upon arrival. A subsequent search uncovered 60 parcels of a greenish, bushy vegetable matter believed to be cannabis.
The packages had been wrapped in green plastic bags and tissue paper, covered in white cloth, and concealed beneath clothing and footwear at the bottom of the luggage.
The suspected cannabis weighed approximately 59.5 pounds and carries an estimated street value of EC$357,000.
