A man who was caught attempting to smuggle marijuana to Trinidad and Tobago was sentenced to six months imprisonment at hard labour in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.

Charged with possession of, dealing in and taking steps to export ganja is 21-year-old Joshua Hibbert of an Old Hope Road, Kingston 6, address.

searched

The court was told that Hibbert was preparing to leave the island for Trinidad and Tobago when his luggage was searched and 1.5 kg (3.75 lb) of ganja was found.

Hibbert told the court that he was going to visit his child's mother, who is a Trinidadian. He said he met her while living there for just over a year. He said he came back to Jamaica in November last year. When asked why he decided to take the drugs, he said, "Your honour, life hard ennuh."

He was sentenced to $5,000 or six months for possession of ganja, admonished and discharged for dealing in drugs, and fined $28,000 or six months for taking steps to export the drug. In addition, he has to serve a six-month term.