Tashieka Mair, Star Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:

Mario Fortune, an events planner of Brooklyn, USA had the misfortune of being sent to prison for six months after pleading guilty to ganja possession charges in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.

Fortune, who is a first-time visitor to the island, was charged with possession of, dealing in and attempting to export 13 pounds and one ounce of ganja out of the island in dasheens more than a month ago.

RM Wilson Smith in handing down sentence said that Fortune had no remorse for his actions and said that it was becoming more difficult to hand down suitable sentences for this type of offence, as despite the stringent sentences handed down by the courts, people are still committing this type of offence.

In addition to the mandatory six-month prison sentence, Fortune was fined $15,000 for possession; $41,600 for dealing and $62,400 for attempting to export. If the fines are not paid, he will spend a further six months in prison at hard labour.

The facts are that Fortune checked in at the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay on May 17 to board a Virgin Atlantic flight to London, Gatwick. His suitcase was x-rayed and subsequently searched. The drug was discovered in 15 dasheens weighing 13 pounds.

Attorney-at-law George Thomas who mitigated on Fortune's behalf, said his client was not trying to profit financially from the contraband but was taking it home for personal use. He also told the court that his client believes that Jamaican weed is of a much better quality than weed grown in other parts of the world.