BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Friday 17th May 2019)-This week via a social media video, Greek billionaire and heir to the Coca-Cola franchise 50-year-old Alkiviades David has given a recap of his controversial visit to the island after receiving bail in connection to three charges for what police say are controlled drugs which David disagrees with.
“I’ll be going back to St.Kitts. Part three coming soon,” is how he ended his Instagram recorded footage shortly after departing the Federation.
As understood, that part three visit was made in reference to another court appearance slated for later this year.
David is the owner of SwissX, a medical marijuana company in Switzerland.
At a live press conference held on Monday 13th May at the St.Kitts Marriott Hotel, he claimed that the he did not bring any drugs into the country.
“We come with a plant that is not a drug but one that is a medicinal wellness plant. It is connected to marijuana but it is not marijuana. It is hemp.”
As gathered everything brought in was declared to customs including 550 seedlings.
He added: “By admission of your own laboratory analysts [have indicated] that these plants should be allowed into the country because they are of very low detectable levels of THC. This is really important guys because everything that you’re hearing in the media is purely and utterly political…”
David emphasised that his business is into hemp not the marijuana plant itself saying: “It is not the marijuana plant. It is hemp. Hemp doesn’t get you high; very important distinction. We are hemp make producers and hemp distributors. We make hemp-based products. We are not in the business of getting people high; that is not what we do.”
“So I went there to make millionaires and give hope and I was ‘kicked in the pants’ by the local politicians. So admittedly, I didn’t insert myself in there for good public relations. I didn’t quite expect it to go as far as it did or as well,” he also said with a giggle in his selfie video.
He, however, says the people of St.Kitts-Nevis are “genuinely wonderful.”
Although still being critical of Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris, David added “but he’s probably very decent” also.
He pointed out that “The Cannabis Law which is coming through shortly” is an archaic aspect which needs to be overhauled.
The next day (Tuesday 14th May), David was granted bail after being charged for Possession of Controlled Drugs, Possession with Intent to Supply and Importation of a Controlled Drug into the Federation.
Reportedly, the offences were committed on
Tuesday 7th May at the Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport in
relation to an investigation launched surrounding materials
suspected to be cannabis on a private aircraft.
According to the local authorities, David’s
previous bail conditions were revoked, and he was granted
bail under new conditions.
The new conditions were a cash bail of $300,000 and $600,000 with two sureties for his appearance at the Basseterre Magistrate Court on Monday 23rd September.