Jamaica News

Cornel Bell, a 37 year old car sales clerk of West Midland in England, appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday for breaches of the Dangerous Drugs Act. Bell is accused of attempting to export four pounds of cocaine to England. He was arrested and charged at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston on October 8, after the cocaine was reportedly found in a Festival Dough Mix and a Betty Crocker Cake Mix that was in his luggage.

However, Bell’s lawyer told the court that his client claims he had bought the items at a supermarket in St. Elizabeth, and was not aware that they contained drugs. His lawyer also contested the amount of cocaine that was found, saying it was four ounces, not four pounds.

Bell pleaded not guilty to possession of, dealing in and taking steps to export cocaine. A bail application was made, however the Resident Magistrate said he could not be offered bail until the court received the forensic certificate indicating the amount of drug. Bell was remanded in custody and is to return to court on October 22.

Effective yesterday, October 15, Supreme Ventures Ltd has closed the Villagio Gaming Lounge (located at the Hilton Hotel in New Kingston), citing that the decision is part of a restructuring exercise that’s aimed at “improving efficiency in (its) operations”.

In the process, twenty workers were laid off, and the company has now reportedly rid itself of what is said to be an expensive lease at the Hilton Hotel.

In a statement released yesterday, Supreme Ventures said “SVL has announced the restructuring of its Gaming Lounge business operations, with its decision not to renew a lease agreement with the Hilton Kingston Hotel, for the space occupied by the Villagio Gaming Lounge on that property. The restructuring exercise is aimed at improving efficiency in operations, thereby contributing more to the Group’s profitability.”

They have not disclosed whether all three remaining gaming lounge operations – Coral Cliff in Montego Bay, Acropolis in May Pen and Acropolis in Barbican – would suffer the same fate.