Community service, $3000 fine for Sophia man who had ganja

Acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on Monday imposed six months community service and a $3,000 fine on a Sophia man who pleaded for mercy after admitting that he had two grams of cannabis in his possession.

Edward Sullivan, of Lot 194 South Sophia, told the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court that he uses the narcotic for “sacramental” purposes and to treat a throat ailment. The man admitted that on February 9, near Prashad Nagar, he had the drug in his possession. Sullivan was unrepresented in court and after admitting the charge he begged for leniency.

Prosecutor Lionel Harvey told the court that on the said day a group of police officers on patrol duty stopped Sullivan, who was driving his car and conducted a search on his person. Ranks discovered the narcotics in two Ziploc bags in the man’s right side pocket.

After listening to the police, the magistrate imposed the sentence and ordered the defendant to report to the Kitty police station yesterday.