Man caught with marijuana at AIA fined EC$67

A man who returned home after his mother suffered a stroke was fined EC$30 and EC$37 respectively for illegally importing and trafficking marijuana.

Delon Lavia, 57, appeared at the Serious Offences Court before Chief Magistrate, Colin John yesterday, April, 7,2025 where he was charged that on April, 4, 2025 at the Argyle International Airport (AIA) he imported a controlled drug 131 grammes of cannabis, a controlled drug, for the purpose of drug trafficking.

The facts presented in court are that about 3:00 p.m on the date in question, a customs supervisor was on duty at the AIA.

Lavia, who lives in Canada arrived in St Vincent and was summoned to the customs counter where he was interviewed, as is customary. He denied having anything to declare. When questioned about the contents of his checked luggage, Lavia said it contained sanitary products for his mother.

However, the customs supervisor discovered a plastic-wrapped package containing plant-like materials resembling that of cannabis in his luggage.

Lavia told the supervisor that it “is marijuana.” PC 1021 Thomas was contacted and the package was handed over to her. She escorted Lavia to the immigration office where Lavia consented to a further search of his luggage.

PC Thomas found a second package wrapped in plastic containing plant-like material resembling that of cannabis.

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