Two New Orleans band promoters stranded in Bermuda and awaiting trial in Magistrates’ Court have come forward to thank the community — and express bewilderment at their detainment on the island.

Merrill Boyd and Thaddeus Ramsey, both from the popular Big Six Brass Band, told The Royal Gazette on Friday they had amassed $120,000 in debt while their day in court has been delayed by what they said was the denial of legal aid.

Mr Boyd said: “We just feel we have not been treated fairly. They have put us in the position of having to defend ourselves with no money.

“It’s like we’ve been held hostage here for 11 months with no work, no income, in one of the most expensive countries in the world.

“We feel they’re legally handicapping us. It’s like trying to defend ourselves minus one arm and one foot.”

The two were stopped in April 2023 at LF Wade International Airport, with both carrying large amounts of cash.

Mr Ramsay, who said he had visited the island before, to take part in the Bermuda Festival, ran afoul of the legal threshold barring travellers from carrying more than $10,000 in cash — in his case, as reported back home this month in The Lens, $10,445.

The two said they were initially told by US Customs officials that they would be fined $500 each, before they were turned over to the Bermuda police and subsequently charged with conspiracy to commit a money-laundering offence.

Mr Ramsey, known in New Orleans by the nickname “Peanut”, hails from the Marigny neighbourhood, while Mr Boyd comes from the neighbouring Seventh Ward.

Mr Boyd said travelling with cash, as entertainers, was so ingrained in the culture of the city, known as the Big Easy, that neither man gave it a second thought.

The two said they had been eyeing the possibility of bringing their New Orleans brass band to perform on the island over the Cup Match holiday.

“We were doing what we always do, hunting for work,” Mr Boyd said. “It’s not at all uncommon for me as a part-time band manager. We were trying to get a performance. We had no idea it would turn into this ordeal.”

He added: “We see nothing to show we’re connected with a crime. We are part of an entertainment group, We travel with cash because it’s a cash business.”

With their money seized along with their passports, the two said they were desperate to travel home and raise an income to defend themselves.

Both said they had been wary of speaking to the media, saying they were threatened with having their bail of $20,000 each revoked after they appealed to Government House.

They claimed that a man accused of a sex offence had appeared in Magistrates’ Court at the same time and received a $7,000 bail order.

Family members and supporters last week shared a string of e-mail appeals to Government House.

The Gazette was told on Friday that Government House could not comment on a matter that remained active before the courts.

The men said a trial date, initially set for January, was pushed forward to June because they were without legal aid.

They also claimed they were still awaiting disclosure from prosecutors.

Asked how loved ones back home were coping, Mr Ramsey said: “They’re just missing us.”

He added: “I have lost my house, and I lost my car.”

Mr Boyd said: “I have a child. I’ve lost my vehicle, but by the grace of the Lord I have kept my house. I had some jobs lined up. That’s gone now.”

The men said they had sheltered in hotels and Airbnb accommodation to the end of 2023.

The New Life Church of the Nazarene helped them after that, followed by the charity Home.

In the meantime, Mr Boyd said, they have put in more than 400 hours’ community service to give back.

“That’s how we keep ourselves busy,” he said. “People here are fine. If it wasn’t for the people, we would not have survived.”

He added: “We have maintained our innocence steadfastly.”

Mr Boyd said that “even if we were guilty, with all the ordeal we have gone through, I’m not sure what more punishment we could face”.

The men said lawyer Saul Dismont had offered to take their case. Mr Dismont could not be reached for comment. A trial is scheduled for June 18 and 19.

• It is The Royal Gazette’s policy not to allow comments on stories regarding criminal court cases. This is to prevent any statements being published that may jeopardise the outcome of that case.