A Jamaican national was convicted and sentenced for drug possession and the EC $2,160 and US $420 which the police confiscated from him was ordered to be forfeited to the state.
Okive Banton had pleaded guilty to drug charges when he appeared before Magistrate Ngaio Emanuel in the District B Magistrate’s Court.
The police charged him for possession of 1.25 pounds of cannabis with intent to sell and possession of cannabis.
Banton, who received a reprimand and discharge on the possession charge, was fined $40,000 on the more serious count of possession with intent to sell. He has two years to pay the fine or he will be jailed for two years.
Magistrate Emanuel also made an order for the drugs to be destroyed.
Banton was detained and taken into custody by the police on January 10 after search warrants were executed at his business place, Straight Pub, in Paynters and a nearby property belonging to Delroy Basksom at about 5pm.
