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Goddard’s Yacht Ecstasy Busted!

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Chris Rogers (l) Walter Prescod (c) Charles Herbert (r)

 

The news that approximately 3 million dollars worth of illegal drugs was discovered on a boat owned by Goddards Enterprises – a successful and respected international company domiciled in Barbados – continues to be the talk of the town. A few high profile names are reported to be assisting the police force read Charles Herbert the Chairman of Goddards Enterprises and Chris Rogers a non executive member who were reported to be on the boat when the interdiction was made by Barbados Customs Officers.

Information coming from the police about the progress of investigation has been slow as one would expect when prominent individuals are involved. Then add high profile lawyer Andrew Pilgrim to the mix. The blogmaster joins many expressing an interest in who will be charged and incarcerated for the crime. The tangential story is that there is an intense lobby with the charge in government to legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes.

The blogmaster ask commenters to be smart when posting comments. On behalf of the BU household we appeal to all those out there to continue to tip off the authorities so that we can arrest the scourge of drugs, guns and other illegal activity pouring into our little island. Feel free to email BU also with tips by completing the Contact List that will be forwarded confidentially to the blogmaster.

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BU’s Featured image is Charles Herbert, Chairman of Goddards (l) and Chris Rogers, non executive board member (r).

 

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778 responses to “Goddard’s Yacht Ecstasy Busted!”

  1. Jeff Cumberbatch Avatar
    Jeff Cumberbatch

    *What can he, she or they be charged with ?

    How much time can he, she or they expect to spend in jail if convicted for smuggling $3 million in drugs ?

    Inter alios, importation, possession, handling, trafficking, customs offences,

    Penalties- (a sample)

    *Importation or exportation of a controlled drug contrary to section 4(l)(

      Mode of Prosecution

    (a) Summary …

    *A fine of $250,000 or imprisonment for 5 years, or both)

    (b) On indictment

    A fine of $500,000 or imprisonment for 20 years, orboth

  2. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    Thanks Jeff.

    This is going to be an interesting case given that the CEO was on the board the company yacht.

  3. Talking Loud Saying Nothing Avatar
    Talking Loud Saying Nothing

    @ Jeff,

    Where is the deterrent in paying a modest fine? Especially when you are super rich. The law is discriminatory.
    This sets a dangerous precedent. Our citizens will be sailing to Colombia or Peru to collect their stash, and risk a fine in the knowledge that their chances of being stopped are limited.

    This could become a legitimate business model – if it is not already.

  4. TheOGazerts Avatar
    TheOGazerts

    I cannot see why this would affect the stock, unless Herbert is a wizard whose management practices can push up the price of the stock. I doubt this in the anaemic BSE.

    In fact, a pullback may signal a buyng opportunity.

  5. TheOGazerts Avatar
    TheOGazerts

    From some of the comments, it appears that $3M is a measly sum in Barbados. Some of these guys will pee on your leg and tell you it’s raining

    Let me speculate a little……. if you could take a boat out once a month and return with $3 in drugs, that’s a good job.

    If after this the company needs a new crew hit me up at TheoGazerts112345_@gmale.com
    .

  6. TheOGazerts Avatar
    TheOGazerts

    @TLSN
    “Where is the deterrent in paying a modest fine?”
    Aren’t these fines larger than those in the integrity legislation…
    What more do you want?

  7. TheOGazerts Avatar
    TheOGazerts

    Hell of a thing when the character witnesses start to bail on you. One minute they riding shotgun with you and the next minute they hardly know you…..

    Life

  8. Georgie Porgie Avatar
    Georgie Porgie

    at age 15 my girl friend taught me this verse that she had just learned in Sunday school

    Numbers 32:23 b
    behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.

    I HAVE FOUND THIS TO BE ALL SO VERY TRUE
    PERHAPS THE FELLAS IN THE ECSTACY HAVE COME TO THIS CONCLUSION TOO

  9. Simple Simon Avatar
    Simple Simon

    @Hants July 25, 2018 10:13 PM “@ Simple Simon re ” HC Mafia ” did you make that up or you learned it from the late Austin “Tom” Clarke?”

    If the late Tom said it first, then of course he gets all of the credit. But I have read so much Tom Clarke that I have forgotten where Tom ends and where I begin. When I wrote the HC mafia thingy I had no conscious recollection of reading that phrase in Clarke.

    Good thing this is not a university classroom, or they would perhaps get me for plagiarism.

    Lolll!!!

  10. de pedantic Dribbler Avatar
    de pedantic Dribbler

    @TInniss, simply stated all rational folks on de blog were a bit perplexed about the stay inder Col Nurse’s care. You voiced it and so too others but it is a glaring exception to normal procedure.

    @Jeff, in your role as a law professor I would ask your expanded opinion of your quote:

    … “Someone would have to apply for a writ of habeas corpus to have them released. In the absence of this, the police has a discretion the conduct of investigation as far as I know. The length of time does seem odd though

  11. de pedantic Dribbler Avatar
    de pedantic Dribbler

    Specifically in general legal processess what are some of the reasons this would occur?

    As a layman I would think a custodial stay could indicate concern of witness tampering, fear of those being held from unknown confederates or that the accused have requested this cooling off period to avoid the publicity.

    Surely this layman perceives that the writ of habeus you noted would be readily requested and likely granted for a man of the chairman’s bonafides (with passport being held, heavy collateral held etc).

    Please give ur wisdom generally on such circumstances…

    Maybe just hiding from publicity!

  12. Simple Simon Avatar
    Simple Simon

    @David July 26, 2018 7:51 AM “It is a black couple actually.”

    Cockroach int have no business at fowl cock dance.”

  13. NorthernObserver Avatar
    NorthernObserver

    @hants
    The CEO, the top executive position is held by a Mr Anthony Ali. Herbert is not an employee of GEL, he is the Chairman of the Board, as such the NON-executive Chairman. The other person on the boat, Rogers, is likewise a non-executive director, a member of the Board of Directors, not an employee. I haven’t checked, but memory says Mr Ali is the only member of the GEL board who is also an employee of GEL.

  14. lawson Avatar
    lawson

    I have refrained for getting into the fray because as usual it it gets about racial lines when it shouldn’t . I have met mr herbet i cannot believe this is the man i know. lets let the investigation play out without the usual white black rhetoric and see who is culpable. I have faith in the bajan police, and the bajan justice system

  15. Simple Simon Avatar
    Simple Simon

    @MoneyBrain July 26, 2018 11:10 AM “Simple, I certainly am not arguing based solely on wealth, IQ etc. It is about knowing the person in full, his attitudes connections,etc”

    Can one human being really KNOW another?

    I am sure that the name Bruce MacArtur is familiar to you. This is what the psychiatrists had to say about Bruce. An psychological/psychiatric examination of Bruce MacArthur in 2003 showed he was at “minimal risk” of violent behavior.

    Until earlier this year when the police charged him with 8 counts of first degree murder, and with concealing 7 bodies in flowerpots where he worked, and another in the compost heap.

    I put it to you that it is very difficult to really KNOW a person, and even moreso when you and that person has lived busy lives in different places, even in different countries for 40 or 50 years.

  16. NorthernObserver Avatar
    NorthernObserver

    @dpd
    “Somebody” has admitted to being responsible for how the contraband got onto the vessel. I do not know if this person was on board when the vessel was seized or not. Rumour has it as a yet unnamed crew member.
    This particular boat had a long term crew member. He is to my knowledge a very decent person and I sincerely hope he is not involved.

  17. NorthernObserver Avatar
    NorthernObserver

    Lol SS, mb isn’t a psychiatrist. They also say that only 5% of the mentally ill carry out violent acts, but one mowed down +/-12 on upper Yonge, and now one shot several the other night on the Danforth. Nobody knows another. We know what they want us to know, that is all.
    Btw..the said Danforth gunman and McArthur are neighbors, just another useless fact.

  18. Barbados Underground Whistleblower Avatar
    Barbados Underground Whistleblower

    @ Lawson

    You say this is not about race I disagree with you as Barbadians has truly waken up to reality.

    I will also add access to MAJOR finance to provide for the amount of drugs found on the Ecstasy Yatch.

    Now I am hearing allegedly by Northern Observer about some long term crew member going to take the fall.

    Where is the long term crew member get the finance from it is not $3000 or $30,000.

    If that long term crew member could afford such a big drug haul he would own his own Yatch.

    Wunna jackasses got to stop trying to pull the wool over people.

    Not everyone is gullible and stupid.

    There will be some in the Barbados Police whilst these guys are at the Station to work a deal with these white guys to give them a free get out of jail card looking to benefit themselves short and long term from both Herbert and Rogers.

    However neither seems to budging that is why it seems so long,

    Pilgrim will file Habeus Corpus with the High Court to get them bail.

    I know the crooked local Police devils they are dealing with whether innocent or guilty.

  19. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    BarbadosToday online edition front page

  20. David Avatar
    David

    Final suspect

    Article by
    Colville Mounsey Published on
    July 26, 2018

    The third person held by police in Monday’s $3 million drug bust aboard the luxury yacht Ecstasy, owned by Goddard Enterprises Limited, has been identified as Walter O’Neal Prescod.

    Walter O’Neal Prescod
    According to multiple sources intimately involved in the four-day long investigation, Prescod, 55, was the third crew member aboard the vessel along with Charles Herbert, the chairman of Goddard Enterprises and head of the Barbados Private Sector Association, and the company’s non-executive director Chris Rogers, all of whom are still being questioned by lawmen.

    Since the Royal Barbados Police Force (RBPF) issued a terse press release on Tuesday stating the Drug Squad which had “conducted an operation” on board the vessel at the Bridgetown Port had found “a quantity of marijuana” and “three crew members” were being questioned, the identity of the third “person of interest” had remained a mystery even as Herbert and Rogers were quickly identified, although not by the RBPF.

    Goddard Enterprises Limited, which issued a statement yesterday naming Herbert’s deputy William Putnam as acting chairman. It also indicated that the third person was a member of staff.

    However, like the police, it did not name the suspect, only stating that it “has become aware of a situation involving its vessel, two of its directors and a staff member, who have been detained by the police”.

    It further stated that while no one had been charged, the company was confident that “police are engaged in their usual high standard of investigations and look forward to putting the matter behind them once the facts are fully known”.

    “The company wishes to assure all of its stakeholders that it continues to uphold the highest standards of ethics and integrity which have been the backbone of this organization from its very beginnings,” the statement said.

    Repeated attempts by Barbados TODAY since Tuesday to verify his identify finally paid off as the sources confirmed today that it was Prescod, who has a previous drug conviction.

    He had pleaded guilty and was jailed 12 years back in March of 2001 for importation and possession of 250 pounds of marijuana on March 3, 2000.

    Then a 42-year-old fish vendor, he was observed by police conducting surveillance on Porter’s Road, St James, going to and from the beach. Seemingly realizing that he was spotted, he fled, leaving the cannabis in the trunks of two cars, and was later caught by lawmen after a high-speed chase.

    In 2005 his attorneys Keith Simmons and Arthur Holder, the current Member of Parliament for St Michael Central and Speaker of the House, appealed the 12-year sentence, contending, among other arguments, that Prescod had been contrite and had made good use of his time while rehabilitating in prison.

    Holder is back in the picture in the current case, stating yesterday that he was representing one of the persons of interest in Monday’s drug seizure. However, this afternoon the prominent attorney would neither confirm nor deny if he were representing Prescod in this matter.

    “I really don’t have a comment to make on the matter. I cannot say whether he [Prescod] is my client or not,” he said.

    Questions have been raised about Prescod’s employment at Goddard, including whether or not the company had conducted a background check. However, the company’s comments on the incident have been limited to its acknowledgement of the situation and its confidence in the police to investigate the matter.

    Goddard issued a second statement today insisting that Herbert “still remains the chairman” of the Goddard group and that Putnam “will be acting in the role of chairman until such time as Charles Herbert can resume his official role as chairman of the Goddard Group”.

    “Goddard’s continues to support the outstanding work of police in their efforts to bring the investigation to a timely close,” today’s statement said.

    The RBPF’s silence since Tuesday’s brief statement has also led to suggestions that the Force was bungling the investigation in this high-profile case.

    Of major concern was the fact that police have been questioning the men without charge since Monday, well past the 48-hour legal deadline by which charges should have been brought or the men released.

    However, Public Relations Officer of the RBPF Acting Inspector Rodney Inniss told Barbados TODAY the public’s suggestions were unfounded, explaining that such lengthy probes were not unusual in cases of this nature.

    “The police are carrying their investigations thoroughly and we need to give them time to carry it out. There is nothing more to update the public on at this time but when we have something, we will update the public through an official media release,” Inniss said.

    colvillemounsey@barbadostoday.bb

  21. Simple Simon Avatar
    Simple Simon

    @TheOGazerts July 26, 20188:52 PM “Let me speculate a little…if you could take a boat out once a month and return with $3 in drugs, that’s a good job.”

    Not a good job.

    Not the sort of job that you would want your mummy or your Sunday school teacher to know that you are doing.

    But a lucrative job? Yes.

    Lolll!!!

  22. David Avatar
    David

    Prescod’s picture updated to the blog.

    Now it is clear why Arthur felt duty bound and loyal to his client. There is a history!

  23. Simple Simon Avatar
    Simple Simon

    Bunch ‘o ole @ss men!!! wid one foot in the grave already. And don’t you refute me Artax.

    Stupseee!!!

  24. Barbados Underground Whistleblower Avatar
    Barbados Underground Whistleblower

    Again I would say these 2 Non Executive Directors and the Goddards company would have known that this man Prescod would have spent time in jail for large quantities of drugs before.

    Barbados is way too small of a place for them ALL not to know.

    INDEED AS IT STANDS BECAUSE OF PRESCOD PREVIOUS DRUG CONVICTION HE WOULD HAVE BEEN THe IDEAl 3rd CREW MEMBER.

    I still stand by my earlier post that Police dealing with these men are looking for short term and long term big gains personally from Herbert and Rogers who are not cooperating with them.

    I would put my life on the line and neck on the block as I know the croiked devils known as the local police.

  25. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    One of the three could be charged and when convicted could be given a light sentence based on his pleading guilty.

  26. Sargeant Avatar
    Sargeant

    @David

    “duty bound”? Was Holder on a retainer? Because he represented him 12/13 years ago doesn’t mean that he had to represent him now as times have changed (or maybe not)

  27. NorthernObserver Avatar
    NorthernObserver

    The person shown is not the long term crew member I knew of. His name was Albert, and he bears no resemblance to the person shown.

  28. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    @ Sargeant,

    Holder is duty bound to make as much money as possible. This could be a massive payday for the lawyers.

  29. Heather Cole Avatar
    Heather Cole

    @ T. Inniss I wrote this 2 responses in a another section of the media
    today.

    “The speaker of the house who is by default a representative of the government and the Commissioner of police’s fight against drugs and guns should not represent anyone in this case. It is a conflict of interest and he must withdraw. Times have changed. That Michael Carrington saga has already put a stain on that post.”

    “This is a good example of why we need a more participatory democracy so that the conscience of the people are embodied in the law.
    Though some of us may differ in opinions, the voice of the majority must be heard and known. Whether what Mr. Arthur did is not illegal or is illegal that is not the point. Slavery was not against the law but it was wrong. Again our laws written down are to be the embodiment of the conscience of the people.
    I advocate that marijuana be legalized. In its present form, it is just a form of oppression against the poor black man, many of whom Mr Arthur has repesented. So it only makes matters worse as how could he a member of a sitting government that has plans to reduce crime and the entry of illegal drugs in good conscience offer a defense for persons in police custody who are suspected of importing drugs. If a crime has been committed that person is an oppressor of the poor black young men. Is it wrong for the black man to be free of the chains of drugs?”

    Now I am of the opinion that Mr. Arthur should not practise criminal law while he occupies the chair as the Speaker of the House period.

  30. David Avatar
    David

    @Sargeant

    Yes, ‘duty bound’.

    Does he have to be on retainer to be ‘duty bound’?

    What considerations define ‘duty bound’ in you opinion?

  31. David Avatar
    David

    @Heather

    If the recent Barbados Today report is to be believed, Holder seems to be pulling back from the position that he is representing Prescod.

  32. Sargeant Avatar
    Sargeant

    With this revelation of Prescod’s past the die has been cast and the saga will slowly meander to its inexorable end. If I was a betting man I would wager complete indication for……….. and we can pontificate till the cows come home about guilt or innocence of the individuals involved.

    A ride on the Ecstasy developed into a few days of agony, lets switch topics what did McDowell do?

  33. Barbados Underground Whistleblower Avatar
    Barbados Underground Whistleblower

    @ Heather Cole

    Don’t you realise most lawyers in Barbados have no professional Ethics and their only loyalty are $$$?

    I would go further to say ALL Barbados Politicians who are Lawyers have NO professional Ethics.

    Arthur Holder is just a continuance of the disdain of DLP and BLP that they have for the Public and the arrogance that they can continue business as usual when placed in influential positions despite the optics.

  34. Sargeant Avatar
    Sargeant

    @David

    A Doctor is duty bound to treat a sick individual, A Policeman is duty bound to arrest someone who is breaking the law. A lawyer is not “duty bound” to take a case and some refuse to take some cases ( I know that may seem quaint in Bim) but it happens.

  35. David Avatar
    David

    @Sargeant

    Your last sentence suggest you are beginning to appreciate the issue here.

  36. NorthernObserver Avatar
    NorthernObserver

    BUW
    I certainly was not suggesting the crew member was the primary buyer or seller. Rather that somebody had admitted to transporting the drugs.
    Yet you have told us exactly why proceedings are taking so long, particularly if Mr.Prescod is an employee, and not a ‘crew member for short term hire’. You may also have told us why another GEL employee is of interest.
    Your statement that two non-executive persons, they do not work at GEL, must have somehow known about this person’s background is interesting, and puzzling.
    Yet I imagine in the course of time, it will be revealed if Mr Prescod is involved beyond being a crew member, if and when he was hired, and by whom and what the background/references revealed.
    I would imagine GEL has an HR Dept, likely several, and the staff within those are responsible for hiring and vetting employees.
    With no disrespect to Mr Prescod, but I would imagine a new hire as crew for the company boat, might not require the intervention or approval of the Board, or even senior management.

  37. NorthernObserver Avatar
    NorthernObserver

    Dunno. What did McDowell do?

  38. David Avatar
    David

    An update about McDowall is posted to the “DLP Sighting’ blog.

  39. NorthernObserver Avatar
    NorthernObserver

    Ty. SIX hours to cancel his CC, order repayment of certain monies, and meanwhile the ENTIRE council is gathered and they have to appoint a sub-committee to ‘recommend’. The last time I heard of a Lengthy meeting it was FJS and the unions. Maybe Caswell can suggest why they take so long to achieve relatively little.

  40. John Avatar
    John

    So only 3 detained by the police from the boat.

    That means the wife was brought in after.

    … and the police are holding her too.

    Interesting, says alot!!

  41. John Avatar
    John

    Looks like GEL gave Mr. Prescod a second chance given his record.

  42. John Avatar
    John

    Hants
    July 27, 2018 12:15 AM

    @ Sargeant,
    Holder is duty bound to make as much money as possible. This could be a massive payday for the lawyers.
    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    Only directors are indemnified under the Companies Act, not employees.

    Once those directors are acting in good faith, GEL will, I believe, have to fund their legal bills.

  43. Well Well & Cut N' Paste At Your Service Avatar
    Well Well & Cut N’ Paste At Your Service

    “If a newspaper can’t educate the public who will? Mariposa and Well well? lmbao”

    Enuff…I always know when something I saud got under ya skin…

    Lawson…ya fraud…the police should check you out too on your next trip to the island, ya been rubbing shoulders with the Cartel…police do not hold you for 4 days without a reason…this is no misunderstanding

  44. Hal Austin Avatar
    Hal Austin

    John,

    GEL gave Mr Prescod a job.

  45. Well Well & Cut N' Paste At Your Service Avatar
    Well Well & Cut N’ Paste At Your Service

    When ya need an experienced carpenter, you hire a carpenter, when you need an experienced trafficker………..

  46. Caswell Franklyn Avatar
    Caswell Franklyn

    Did Prescod take a fall for someone in 2001, and if so who?

    This is how it usually works but I am not suggesting that this is how it worked in Prescod’s case: when the traffickers get caught a small guy, like Prescod, would take the fall for the bossman, who in turn would take care of the fall guy’s family while he is prison. When the fall guy is released he would be taken care of. In some cases, provided with a job

    On the other hand, this small fish would know that if he reveals the identity of the real traffickers his family would meet some unfortunate accident or a bullet.

    By the way, the ethics of the Legal Profession would require Holder to take the job of defending Prescod.

    Sent from my iPad

  47. Caswell Franklyn Avatar
    Caswell Franklyn

    Has anyone else noticed that the two main people, to organise the march against Freundel, are getting their comeuppance all in the same week.

    Sent from my iPad

  48. Well Well & Cut N' Paste At Your Service Avatar
    Well Well & Cut N’ Paste At Your Service

    He would be stupid to take a 20 year fall for Goddards though…when he can get protection for him and his family, that is what his lawyers should be working out.

  49. David Avatar
    David

    Senator, the question the blogmaster is forced to ask is why would individuals with huge reputations knowingly sail a boat from the Grenadines to Barbados with a man who is known to the police because of a prior drug infraction. Hell, even the blogmaster with a fledgling reputation would think twice about it unless…

  50. Hal Austin Avatar
    Hal Austin

    John,

    Only directors are indemnified under the Companies Act, not employees.(Quote)

    Is this true? I suggest you get a legal opinion. Does the employers’ duty of care include legal protection for employees involved in litigation connected with their substantive employment? In simple terms, if as a journalist I am sued for libel then it is a fair expectation that my employer would foot the legal bill to defend me.
    I was involved once in the discussion with our insurance company on the renewal of our editorial cover and this view was taken for granted by both sides.

The blogmaster invites you to join the discussion.

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