Pan arranger Rodney Wilkes yesterday told a jury he had no knowledge that 107.7 kilogrammes of marijuana was concealed under a stage at Motown pan yard at Mon Repos, San Fernando.Wilkes is on trial before Justice Devan Rampersad and a jury, charged with possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.The State alleged that on May 31, 2004 Sgt Hubert La Rode and Senior Supt Brian Headley, then an inspector, were among a group of policemen from the Firearms Interdiction Unit who searched the premises and found the marijuana.The officers testified Wilkes was the caretaker of the building and had told them the drug was for the manager, Mr Sobers.However, when Wilkes gave evidence yesterday he said he was not the caretaker and had no knowledge of the marijuana on the premises.Wilkes said the first time he saw the marijuana was when the officers removed it from under the stage.
He added: "A person who was in camouflage asked me if I knew anything about it. I told him I don't know anything about the packages."He told me he found me on the premises so he have to arrest me. I did not tell anyone I was the caretaker of that building."Saying that he went there that morning to construct steelpans, he said he showed the officers the tools, a hammer and chisel, he was using to do that task.
Guided by his lawyer, Mewhalal Chatoor, he said, he had no keys for the building and was not in control of it. Testifying that his involvement in the steelband movement dated back to 1971, he said he worked with Southern Marines Pan School, taught at Dow Village Music Makers and did courses in pan-tuning with Pan Trinbago, where he was registered as a pan arranger.The matter resumes today.