By Rasbert Turner, STAR Writer

spanish town

Portmore resident Alvin Rochester told the Spanish Town Resident Magistrate's Court that he was only declaring himself to the police when they charged him for attempted bribery, after ganja was found in his home.

Rochester, a 43-year-old labourer of Old Braeton, was fined $3,600 when he appeared in court to answer to the charges of possession of, dealing in ganja and attempted bribery. He was charged following an incident on October 19, in which he was found with 750 grams of ganja.

The police told the court that on the day in question, they went on an operation in Braeton, and during a search of Rochester's home, the drug was found. After he was charged, Rochester allegedly took out $5,600 and handed it to a sergeant saying, "Tek this and I will deal with it."

He was subsequently charged with possession of and dealing in ganja. He pleaded guilty and was fined $1,200 or 30 days for possession and $2,400 or 30 days for dealing in ganja. He pleaded not guilty to attempted bribery.

He will return to court on November 13 to answer to that matter.