Fine, community service for one gramme ganja

Jermain Johnson was on Monday fined $3,000 and committed to do three months community service for possession of one gramme of cannabis.

The sentence was imposed by Magistrate Hazel Octave-Hamilton at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, where Johnson pleaded guilty to a ganja possession charge.

Prosecutor Sergeant Tracymay Gittens told the court that last Friday, at about 10:05am a Police Constable was driving along West Front Road when he observed the defendant standing on the corner in a suspicious manner. The police officer stopped his vehicle, approached and carried out a search on Johnson and found the leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis in a Ziploc bag in his pants pocket.

He was then arrested and taken to the East Ruimveldt Police Station, where the allegation was put to him and he was charged with the offence.

In response, Johnson stated that it was his fault and he should not have been on the corner with any narcotics in his possession. He also said that he co-operated with the officer who arrested him.

The magistrate, in delivering the sentence, told Johnson that the community service will be served through the Ministry of Human Services.