The forfeiture hearing of convicted drug dealer Ian “Irie” Porter has been delayed once again.
Prosecutors are attempting to seize $40,000 that authorities took from Porter and Eugene Symonette at the domestic terminal of Lynden Pindling International Airport.
Porter was set to appear before Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans — the third magistrate to preside over the matter.
Porter, who was recently released from jail after serving time for a major marijuana seizure, was unavailable because he was detained in Exuma on outstanding warrants, the court heard.
Speculation has it that police officers in Exuma, where Porter has strong drug-related ties, may have intentionally made Mr Porter unavailable as a ploy to derail the forfeiture hearing.
Porter’s pratner in crime, Symonette, is serving time in a Cuban prison on drug smuggling charges. He had skipped bail on gun and drug offenses in the Bahamas, when he was arrested in Cuba.
The hearing was adjourned until December 6.
The case has been before three judges in the Bahamas and is another case that makes a mockery of the Bahamas’ dysfunctional and corrupt legal system.
The matter began before Magistrate Renae McKay, who is no longer on the bench. Magistrate Ancella Evans-Williams also presided over the matter. She is now a magistrate in Abaco.
