Greek billionaire and heir to a Coca-Cola bottling fortune, Alkiviades David, was detained by authorities on the Caribbean Island of St. Kitts after a search of his private jet revealed £1 million worth of alleged cannabis plants onboard, according to The Independent.
The 50-year-old insisted the plants were not cannabis as they did not contain THC, the psychoactive element in marijuana which makes it illegal.
“We’re going to go into the granular details of what cannabis genus it is,” Mr David said.
“We didn’t even bring in cannabis, we brought in a cousin of cannabis that has been genetically modified.”
Mr. David was released initially but then re-arrested on 9 May and charged with possession with intent to supply, possession of controlled drugs and importation of a controlled drug. A police spokesperson confirmed he was released on bail on 14 May.
“He was granted bail under new conditions,” the spokesperson said.
“The new conditions were a cash bail of $300,000 and $600,000 with two sureties for his appearance at the Basseterre Magistrate Court.”
It is thought Mr David’s medical cannabis company, SwissX, were the reason behind the import, according to The Vancouver Sun.
Mr David is scheduled to appear at the Bassetrre Magistrates Court in St Kitts and Nevis on 23 September.