Robert Chin Spared Prison After Pleading Guilty in Major Drug Case

Robert Chin, 59, of Mona, St. Andrew, has avoided prison time after pleading guilty to possession and attempted exportation of 21 pounds of cocaine valued at $90 million. Chin, the brother of Member of Parliament Mikael Phillips, was arrested on January 2, 2023, at Norman Manley International Airport when security checks uncovered the illicit substance in his luggage.

Appearing before the Corporate Area Criminal Court on Thursday, Chin was fined $13,000 for attempting to export cocaine and $800,000 for possession of the drug. His attorneys, Peter Champagnie, KC, and Patrice Riley, had requested the court impose only the $800,000 fine.

Senior Parish Judge Paula Blake-Powell, acknowledging Chin’s guilty plea, his critical medical condition requiring weekly dialysis, and a favorable social inquiry report, opted not to impose a prison sentence. The Dangerous Drugs Act provides for maximum fines of $30,000 for attempted exportation and $2 million or two years’ imprisonment for possession.

Judge Blake-Powell granted the attorneys’ request for a fine and ordered Chin to pay within two weeks. Failure to do so will result in a two-year prison term.

The case has drawn public attention due to Chin’s political connections and the scale of the drug bust.