Bajan found guilty of possession of marijuana, cocaine

Barbadian national Michael Yarde was fined $400 or one month imprisonment, and $12,000 or one year, after he was found guilty of having in his possession a quantity of marijuana and cocaine and intent to supply.{{more}}

The 38-year-old father of three was arrested on Saturday, November 23 at Redemption Sharpes and was subsequently charged for having in his possession 234 grams of cocaine and 166 grams of cannabis.

He was also charged with intent to supply and appeared at the Serious Offences Court on Tuesday where he pleaded guilty to both charges.

Grant Connell, representing Yarde, sought mitigation on his behalf, telling the court that his client had admitted to being in possession of marijuana, but that the cocaine was found in the trash. He said Yarde had no knowledge, nor did he approve of the use or possession of the drug and that he was not by any means a hardened criminal.

However, Chief Magistrate Sonya Young said that based on the crime committed, Yarde was facing a maximum fine of $100,000 or seven years in prison.

A deportation order was also recommended.(DD)