Two men acquitted of Drug Trafficking Offense

Pastor Mark Humes

After awaiting trial for two years for a drug trafficking offense, Pastor Mark Humes and Michael Nugen were acquitted of trafficking over ten pounds of weed. The ruling was handed down by Magistrate Michelle Trapp. Now, on paper the police had a strong case to convict if not two, one of the accused which would have more than likely been Nugen since he had initially taken ownership of a blue and yellow suitcase in which the drugs were found. But in the trial, the first police witness, P.C. Benguche made serious errors giving the wrong date for the bust and a wrong description of the parcels. This questioned the integrity of the exhibit that the police claimed they had in their custody for two years. Humes was represented by attorney Herbert Panton while Nugen, by attorney, Oscar Selgado. During the trial, Pastor Humes testified that he picked up a minor and a woman to take to the San Pedro Water Taxi. There was a mix-up with the luggage of the passengers so he had to go back to the terminal. At one of six checkpoints he was stopped and police found the four parcels of weed. Both were taken to the station where the minor took ownership of the drugs but still the two were charged.