Two residents of Cedar Valley were remanded until today when they will reappear before a magistrate to be sentenced for several offences.
Mandella Spencer, 39, and 23-year-old Nyana Alfred were jointly charged with six charges.
While Alfred admitted to possession of four .25 auto FC ammunition, and possession of 0.2 grammes of cocaine, Spencer denied the charges, which the prosecution withdrew against him.
On the other hand, Spencer pleaded guilty to possession of eight cannabis plants and 368.9 grammes of cannabis. Alfred pleaded not guilty, and the prosecution withdrew the charges against her.
On charges of cultivation of the cannabis plants and possession with intent to transfer the duo pleaded not guilty and no evidence was offered against them.
On August 11, based on information the police received they made an application for a search warrant. The following day- August 12, at about 4:30 am, a team of officers went to Spencer’s home in Cedar Valley.
The police identified themselves several times while at the property before they heard a noise in one of the bedrooms and of a toilet being flushed.
Officers gained access into the house through the living room where they saw Spencer running naked with cannabis plants in his hand.
After he was clothed, officers went to the eastern section of the house where the ammunition was found in a Ziploc bag in the toilet bowl.
Both accused were questioned about the ammo, but they did not respond to the officers.
While searching a southeastern bedroom, the lawmen discovered cannabis plants in a pot inside a closet. Officers also found EC $150 and US $20 along with cannabis in a drawer and a kitchen cupboard. The cocaine was found on a plate in the kitchen.
Spencer and Alfred were taken to Police Headquarters and arrested and charged.
Attorney Wendel Alexander in his plea of mitigation on behalf of Spencer, who trades in crypto currency, asked the court to consider his guilty pleas and give him a one-third discount and the fact that he has no prior convictions. Robinson said that a fine is appropriate in this instance, while requesting that the monies police found be returned.
In addressing Alfred’s situation, Alexander said that the ammunition found was a small calibre when compared to a 9mm. He told the court that the 23-year-old woman apologized during her interview with the police and that her age should be taken into account.
He also sought to convince Magistrate Ngaio Emanuel that in spite of the law which requires mandatory prison time for gun and ammunition possession, she still has discretion to impose a fine under a section of the Magistrates Code of Procedure Act.
Alexander said that Alfred, a waitress, has no previous convictions for ammunition possession despite her previous criminal record for possession of cannabis. In 2023 she was convicted for possession of cannabis and being concerned in the supply of cannabis.
The attorney pleaded with the court to exercise all necessary leniency to his clients.
