A 16-year-old boy, who told the court that he did not know that it was cannabis that a former schoolmate had given him as a birthday gift, was on Friday ordered to pay a fine of $4,000 and also do  three weeks of  community service when he appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court.

The teen pleaded guilty to the charge of possession of narcotics, which stated that on October 27 he had one gramme of cannabis in his possession.

However, Prosecutor Kevin London stated that on October 27 the police observed the teen acting in a suspicious manner so they approached him with the intention of conducting a search on his person.

He noted that the teen upon seeing the policemen attempted to flee the area but was pursued and apprehended. The police then  conducted a search on his person and discovered the cannabis in a zip-lock plastic bag stuck in the waist of his pants.

The teen was arrested and later charged.

The magistrate ordered that the community service commence on November 2 and end on November 20. She told the teen that he is to report to the Brickdam Police Station and he is expected to work every day from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm (excepting Saturdays and Sundays) until the community service ends.

Meanwhile, in a separate incident a 23-year-old man who was  allegedly found with 3 grammes of cocaine in his possession for the purpose of trafficking also appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson.

Harry Bhawani pleaded not guilty to the charge of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking and was subsequently remanded to prison.

He denied having the cocaine in his possession.

His case was transferred to Court Five for November 13.