Former national cyclist still in T&T jail

Marc Stamp, Gleaner Writer

President of the Jamaica Cycling Federation (JCF), Edward Harper, says that even though Horace McFarlane is not a registered member of the organisation, they will do whatever possible to assist him during the court case.

McFarlane was arrested and slapped with cocaine and marijuana charges after Trinidad and Tobago's police raided a house where he had gone to visit a friend last September. He and two others were arrested and charged. They are still in jail.

"Whichever way we can, we will support McFarlane during his case in Trinidad. We are trying to find out what can be done. Although he is a former national cyclist who was not registered with the JCF at the time when he was arrested, we will assist in whatever way possible," the JCF boss told The Gleaner on Thursday.

Pretty Much the same

In giving an update, Harper said: "It's pretty much the same. He is awaiting his next bail application date. If bail is going to be granted, it will be done if he is allowed to stay in the country. He could also be sent home and then return to Trinidad for court but this will have to go through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade," Harper added.

McFarlane, who was in Trinidad and Tobago on personal business, was jointly charged with American Devon Scotland and Trinidadian Afeisha Khan for possession of 1.060 grams of cocaine and 300 grams of marijuana, according to reports from the twin island republic.

The three were arrested during a joint exercise conducted in Freeport and Chaguanas.

McFarlane is being represented by Trinidadian attorney-at-law Kwasi Bekoe.