Santa Cruz

One of two men who was arrested and charged with breaches of the Dangerous Drugs Act, after ganja was found in their possession, was sentenced to 30 days' hard labour and fined approximately $25,600 after he pleaded guilty in the Santa Cruz RM Court, recently.

David Williams, 26, of Carisbrook district, St Elizabeth, was jointly charged with Richard Nelson of the same address who pleaded not guilty and was acquitted.

Vegetable matter

The police report that on Wednesday November 5, about 11:30 p.m., both men were travelling in a 1996 white Toyota Corolla, near the Santa Cruz market. The police, who were on an operation, signalled the car to stop and, during a search of the vehicle, a box containing a sealed tin was found. The police cut the tin open and vegetable matter resembling ganja weighing about two kilograms (four pounds) was reportedly found.

The men were taken to the nearby Santa Cruz police station where they were arrested and charged with possession of, dealing in, trafficking and taking steps to export ganja.

Williams was fined $6,400 or 60 days for possession, $9,600 or 60 days for dealing and $50,000 for trafficking but that amount was later reduced to $9,600. The charge of taking steps to export ganja was dropped.