Antigua drug case against Jamaican-born businessman Francis Young dismissed

A drug-related case against Jamaican-born businessman Francis Young has been thrown out in Antigua and Barbuda after the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions opted not to continue the matter.

Chief Magistrate Ignatius Emmanuel formally brought the proceedings against Young to an end. The DPP’s office did not give a reason for the decision.

Young had been charged jointly with Nadeem Brandon Doumith after authorities said 62 pounds of ganja were found concealed in a cargo shipment at Deepwater Harbour on May 9, 2025. The cannabis was valued at an estimated EC$372,000.

The charges against Young have now been withdrawn, but the case against Doumith is still active. His matter is due back before the court on August 8, 2026.

The men had faced several allegations, including conspiracy to commit drug trafficking, possession of cannabis, possession of cannabis with intent to transfer, importation of cannabis, and involvement in the supply of cannabis.

Young, who was said to have lived in Antigua for the past four years with his wife and three young children, operated a business reportedly employing several Antiguans.

The discontinued case is the second notable drug prosecution dropped by the DPP’s office in recent weeks. Prosecutors also recently withdrew charges against 48-year-old Canadian national Rosalyn Chrisostomo, who had been accused of having 67 pounds of cannabis at VC Bird International Airport on March 10, 2026. Medical reasons were cited in that matter.