‘Heroin’ turns out to be starch

A FORMER policeman who was charged in Tobago in May with trafficking heroin was acquitted yesterday after the results of a forensic analysis showed that the contents in the milk package was only starch.

Andy Duke, 28, who served for seven years in the Police Service, was acquitted by Senior Magistrate Annette Mc Kenzie in the Scarborough District Court. Attorney Martin George appeared for the former policeman. It was alleged that on May 17, Duke was held by OCNU officers while attempting to board a Monarch Airlines flight bound for England. Although he protested his innocence at the time, he was arrested and taken to the nearby Crown Point Police Station where a white powdery substance in a milk packet was reportedly tested and he was charged with possession of heroin in the packet with a total weight of 1.25 kilogrammes.

The contents were sent to the Forensic Science Centre for testing on May 20 where the weight of the exhibit was found instead to be 783.64 grammes and the white powdery substance was found to be starch with similar characteristics as “wheat flour.” The report, according to attorney George, was given to the complainant, WPC Wendy Wilkinson on July 16. Duke appeared in court on four occasions subsequently, but the contents of the report were never revealed in court. Duke appeared in court on seven occasions in total and was incarcerated for nine days while he arranged bail.

It was not until yesterday that the court prosecutor indicated that he had received instructions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Geoffrey Henderson to offer no evidence against Duke. On December 3, Henderson, acting pursuant to the provisions of Section 90 of the Constitution, discontinued all proceedings against Duke relative to the heroin trafficking charge. Section 90 (3) states: “The DPP shall have power in any case in which he considers it proper to do so to discontinue at any stage before judgment is delivered any such criminal proceedings instituted or undertaken by himself or any other person or authority.” But Duke’s passport and other possessions remained with the police although he was acquitted yesterday. Attorney George said he is considering filing a constitutional motion if the items are not returned today.