Drug case against Jamaican businessman dropped in Antigua

A drug-related case against Jamaican-born businessman Francis Young has been dismissed in Antigua and Barbuda, with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) deciding not to proceed. Chief Magistrate Ngaio Emanuel formally discontinued the proceedings, though the DPP offered no explanation for the decision.

Young had been jointly charged with Nadeem Brandon Doumith following the discovery of 62 pounds of cannabis, valued at EC$372,000, hidden in a cargo shipment at Deep Water Harbour on May 9, 2025. The charges they faced included conspiracy to commit drug trafficking, possession of cannabis, and importation of cannabis.

While the charges against Young have been withdrawn, the case against Doumith is ongoing and scheduled to return to court on August 8, 2026. Young has resided in Antigua for the past four years with his family and operates a business that employs local Antiguans.

This marks the second high-profile drug case recently discontinued by the DPP's office. Last week, charges were also dropped against Canadian national Roselynee Crisostomo, accused of possessing 67 pounds of cannabis at VC Bird International Airport. In that instance, medical reasons were cited for the discontinuation.