PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Former West Indies middle order batsman Runako Morton remains in police custody despite having bail set at TT$100 000 (US$16 600) after he appeared in a magistrate’s court here yesterday on drug related charges.
Morton, along with Leeward Islands all-rounder, Tonito Willet, had been arrested by police over the weekend for being in possession of a quantity of marijuana.
Bail is yet to be posted for either cricketer who were involved in the fifth round Regional First Class Championship match which finished at Queen’s Park Oval on Monday morning but took no further part in the match following their arrest.
Willet has also been granted TTT$100 000 (US$16 600) bail.
Magistrate Andrew Stroude also gave an alternative bail of TT$20 000 (US$3 330) cash each for the two cricketers.
Both Morton and Willet will return to court on March 17.
Police said the two cricketers were stopped and searched during an exercise on Friday night and a black plastic bag containing 500 grammes of the illicit drug was found in the vehicle. The 32-year-old Morton, who has played 15 Tests for West Indies, is in his first season for Trinidad and Tobago after previously representing the Leewards.
Willett, meanwhile, is a seasoned first class campaigner and a virtual fixture in the Leewards side in recent seasons.