An Albouystown man will be a guest of the state for the next three years, after he admitted to trafficking in nearly 200 grammes of cannabis yesterday when he appeared in a city court.
Jason Heyliger, 33, called ‘Jack’ of 298 Independence Boulevard, who appeared before Magistrate Ann McLennan, accepted that he had 171 grammes of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking on April 14, at Albouystown.
It was the prosecution’s assertion that on the day in question, Heyliger was walking along Hunter Street at 17:55 hrs, when he was stopped and searched by a police patrol. Jones told the court that cannabis leaves, seeds and stems were found in Heyliger’s pants’ pocket. Jones added that cannabis was also found in a ‘Bob Marley’ bag Heyliger was wearing. The cannabis in the bag was wrapped in silver foil and black plastic bags. Heyliger was arrested and after the cannabis was weighed in his presence he was charged.
The court heard from Heyliger that he was just making ends meet. He said he was aware of the illegality of his actions, but cited the responsibility of providing for his two children as the reason. He also pleaded with the magistrate to be lenient with him.
Subsequently the magistrate imposed a $205,200 fine, which is three times the market value of the cannabis Heyliger had, along with the prison sentence.
