Deportee gets $60,000 bail for coke charge

Brian McMillan was allegedly held with the cocaine at Carrington Street, near the Crooks River Mall in downtown Scarborough last Friday night. McMillan was arrested after the illegal drug was reportedly discovered following a routine strip-search. A black plastic bag said to contain several cocaine “rocks” was tendered before the court as exhibit in the matter. Charges in the matter were laid by PC Julien Thomas, of Old Grange Police Station.

McMillan pleaded not guilty when he appeared in court Monday. The court was told that the accused had nine previous convictions, three of them for similar offences. He was subsequently granted bail and is to reappear in court on September 4.

In an unrelated matter, Dale Crooks was denied bail when he appeared in the same court charged with possession of 30 packets of cocaine (19 grammes) at Crooks River Mall, also on Friday night. Crooks was charged by PC Ramlogan. He pleaded not guilty. In this case, a transparent plastic bag allegedly containing 30 foil packets of cocaine was tendered as evidence.

According to court records, Crooks has three previous convictions, all for similar offences – the last one being in April 2004. The magistrate subsequently remanded Crooks into custody and advised him of his right to apply for bail before a judge in chambers.

Crooks will reappear in court on September 4.