Michael Antoine had to fork up $250 at the Serious Offences Court on Monday to avoid going to jail for 21 days.

Antoine, 34, of Lauders was charged for having one gram of cocaine in his possession on January 20.{{more}}

The court heard that the local drug squad and the Rapid Response Unit went to the home of Antoine at about 5.30a.m. to execute a search warrant. During the search a black plastic bag was found in a box containing eight pieces of aluminum foil with the substance.

Antoine denied any knowledge about the cocaine at first but later admitted to the police that it belonged to him. $439 was also found along with US$2.

Antoine told the court that he had just moved into the house and that he met things there. He also said that he is a gambler and that is where he got the money.