Man’s cocaine charges dismissed after forensic testing determined the substance was paste

KINGSTON, Jamaica — A man facing additional charges of possessing and dealing in cocaine had those charges dropped after forensic analysis revealed that the substance for which he was arrested was not cocaine but a type of paste.

However, Troy Jackson was remanded in custody for the first aggravation offense when he appeared before the Kingston and St Andrew District Court on Tuesday.

According to court documents, the complainant, a volunteer worker, refused to give the defendant a care package. Jackson allegedly used a knife to rob the complainant as she walked along the road with her care package.

But Jackson, who said he was working as a garbage truck at the time, told the court he only picked up a tissue, a roller and soap from the floor.

Stating that Jackson stole the items, Senior District Judge Sanchia Burrell said, “But I don’t see any tissue trees yet. You stole the items.”

He was assigned legal aid for the next hearing date, January 13, 2025.

Jackson was taken into custody.

— Kelsey Thomas