Ganja farmer freed after six months in prison

After spending six months in prison, pending a trial date for illegal cultivation, Theophilus Jacobs was told he was “free to go” yesterday.

The 35-year-old labourer was charged that he, on July 31, 2016 cultivated 30 mature genus cannabis plants.

Jacobs pleaded not guilty to the charge when he appeared before the court last year. However, yesterday, under the advice of lawyer Grant Connell, the Biabou man changed his plea.

Notably, the court was informed that plants had not yet been tested, although police officers confiscated them six months ago.

Police say that the plants were found when members of the Rapid Response Unit (RRU) went to Jacobs’ home in respect of marijuana cultivation.

He agreed to a search and when officers went to his backyard, they saw the plants; he made no statements and the offence was pointed out and 30 trees were uprooted.

Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne-Matthias ordered that his sentence be time spent in prison and told him that he was free to go.(AS)