Man jailed for three years over cocaine bust

A man who was found with a quantity of cocaine and admitted to being a habitual user was yesterday sentenced to three years in jail and ordered to pay a $10,000 fine.
Sean Calendar admitted that on December 22, at Regent Street, Georgetown, he had in his possession nine grammes of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

Prosecutor Stephen Telford told the court that on the day in question, ranks of the City Constabulary Department received information that Calendar was in possession of cocaine. Acting on it, they closed in on Calendar and searched him, at which point he stuffed the narcotics into his mouth in an attempt to conceal it. He was later told of the offence committed, arrested and charged.

When asked the reason for having the prohibited substance by acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry, before whom he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, Calendar said that he was “keeping it for someone.” The man further told the magistrate that he uses both cocaine and marijuana.

After being informed that the offence carries a jail sentence of five years at most and a minimum of three years, Calendar said that he had committed the offence and understood that he had to be punished for it. However, he begged the court for lenience.

Magistrate Sewnarine-Beharry subsequently ordered the three year sentenced and imposed the $10,000 fine.