Eight people have been accused of conspiring to import cannabis into Bermuda last year.

Scott Brown, 58, from Southampton, Chrystal Cassidy, 45, from Warwick, Gavin O’Connor, 55, and Taureem O’Connor, 33, both from Hamilton Parish, and Canadian residents Mickel Augustus, 29, Melissa Shields, 23, Taylor Pitz, 25, and Akeem Williams, 32, were charged with the offence in Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

They were further charged with having the controlled drug with intent to supply.

Mr Augustus, Ms Shields, Ms Pitz and Mr Williams have yet to be brought to Bermuda to face the charges, which allegedly occurred between an unknown date and April 19, 2023.

Mr Brown was also accused of concealing or disguising money, said to be criminal property, between April 19 and May 1, 2023.

None of the accused was required to enter a plea as the case must be heard in the Supreme Court.

Magistrate Maria Sofianos adjourned the case to the December arraignment sessions and released the defendants on $20,000 bail with a surety each until that time.

She also ordered Mr Brown, Taureem O’Connor and Gavin O’Connor to attend Hamilton Police Station once a week, and that Ms Cassidy do the same starting on November 27.

• UPDATE: this article has been updated to correct the title noun of Ms Pitz

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