A fisherman who admitted to being the user of narcotics was sentenced to three years imprisonment, fined a total of $20,000 and sentenced to two weeks community service yesterday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
Nazim Khan pleaded guilty to the charges of possession and trafficking in narcotics when they were read to him by acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson. He said that he did not want to waste the court’s time. It is alleged that on September 1, he had in his possession three grammes of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. Further, on the same day, he had in his possession two grammes of cannabis.
Khan, 38 of Fifth Street, Mon Repos North, was unrepresented and said that he and a friend were having a few beers on the day. Later as they were heading home, they were stopped by the police, who conducted a search and unearthed the narcotics. He added that his friend gave $20,000 to the police officer and was not charged. However, he said he was unlucky since he did not have any money and was later charged. He said that his friend gave him the items since “we does use it.” He pleaded for leniency.
Police Prosecutor Stephen Telford said that on the day in question, police were on patrol on Cornhill Street, when they stopped Khan and conducted a search and found the articles in his pants pocket. He was told of the offence, arrested and charged.
Khan was then sentenced to three years imprisonment and fined $10,000 on the trafficking charge and fined $10,000 and two weeks community service to be carried out at the prison on the possession charge.
