Lewis fined $2500 for weed

Marijuana has now replaced money as a form of legal tender, or so it seems.{{more}}

Esmond Lewis, 38, a labourer of New Chapmans Village, was fined $2,500 after he pleaded guilty at the Serious Offences Court on Monday to having in his possession 1,596 grams (3.5 pounds) of cannabis at Bamboo Range on January 11, 2009.

Lewis explained to Chief Magistrate Sonya Young that he had helped some people clean marijuana and as a payment they gave him the cannabis.

The court heard that members of the Drugs Squad were on patrol in the area when they saw the defendant walking towards them with a bag in his hand. The police officers searched the bag and found three taped packages containing material resembling cannabis. When cautioned by the officers, Lewis replied: “Ah ganja, me nah run, alyo dun ketch me.”

Chief Magistrate Young ordered Lewis to pay $800 forthwith and the remainder in three months or he would spend five months in jail.