Jose Almestica has been convicted on all charges following a unanimous verdict delivered by a High Court jury earlier today, according to published reports.
He was convicted of possessing cocaine and marijuana for distribution, unlawful possession of prohibited firearms, and explosive material. The charges arose from a police sweep of The Reef, a house at Ballast Bay, where a large amount of illegal goods was recovered in 2021. Although Almestica wasn’t there during the raid, prosecutors successfully argued that he had “effective control” over these items.
The case involved three co-defendants. Renee Smith was convicted on a single count related to the acquisition of criminal proceeds tied to the purchase of a vehicle. She was acquitted of all charges related to drugs, firearms, and explosives, and remains out on bail pending sentencing.
Both Jennifer Smith and Shamal Smith were cleared earlier in the trial when the court upheld a no-case submission, leading to their full acquittal. Almestica is no stranger to public notoriety. He escaped from Her Majesty’s Prison in Balsam Ghut during the chaos of Hurricane Irma on September 6, 2017, when the prison’s security was compromised due to storm damage. He was recaptured in December 2021 and remains in custody as sentencing for his most recent drug and weapons charges is set for November 17.