A 20-year-old Grand Bay man who pleaded guilty to possessing almost 20,000 grams of cannabis with intent to supply has been fined $30,000.
Philsbert Alexander, who had been on remand since November 18, 2009, changed his not guilty plea yesterday and admitted to having 19,976 grams of cannabis on that day. If he does not pay the fine by February 26, 2010, he faces 10 months imprisonment.
According to the facts read by the police prosecutor before Chief Magistrate Evelina Baptiste, Constable C. Challenger, along with other drug squad personnel, were on mobile patrol in the Mopo road in the Grand Bay area when they saw the defendant take some bags and throw them into the bushes. Other men who were accompanying the defendant ran away.
The defendant was then approached and the area was searched. Two crocus bags and a green bag were found in the said bushes. Upon opening the bags police observed what appeared to be cannabis inside.
When asked about the substance Alexander said, “The green bag that is mine officer …I just help carry one….”
In assisting the defendant with his mitigating plea, lawyer Peter Alleyne said that the defendant had immediately taken responsibility for the green bag, which contained only 1, 816 grams.
“He has admitted that he has some level of control over the substance…He’s been on remand since November 18, 2009,” he added.
Alleyne also pointed to the fact that the defendant was a first time offender who was living with his mother to whom he assisted tremendously. He asked that Alexander be allowed to pay a fine.
Before passing sentence, the magistrate stated, “ We’re very concerned about illegal substances and we are very concerned about what is happening to our young people… If you notice this morning quite a few young boys were there for offences under the drug act… Boys as early as 10 years are involved in drug use.”
The defendant was also charged with a possession of cannabis for which there was no separate penalty.
The magistrate had first ruled that the defendant pay the fine within the next seven days, but after a request from his mother and pregnant girlfriend, Baptiste extended the time in which he is to pay the fine.
the wicked law enforcemet of this blessed country can bring down one man but there are many more ganja planters to go.. ..you all will never stop the circulation of the holy herb… marijuana is the healing of the nation..
PLEASE GIVE ME BREAK ……………………………………….HAVEN’T HEARD ANYONE DIED OFF GANJA YET .MAN TAKE YOUR SENTENCE THE GOVT HAVE ENOUGH MONEY .
TO GOD BE THE GLORY
AGAIN I SAY LEGALIZE GANGA IN DOMINICA. EVEN IT IS ONLY FOR MEDICAL PURPOSES.LEGALIZE IT!
why jail a man for weed? it’s just a plant it is not a drug because the u.s say it’s a drug that dose’nt make it a drug we a an independent country we must do what right for our country .punishing the the young men for a plant is very very stupid .legalize the plant and crime will cut by 50% because no one will buy it therefore it will worth nothing and no one will hurt each other for it.is because it’s eligal thats why it is so expensive and that’s why they are fighting over it
LEGALIZE MARIJUANA.
It is legal in many countries and cities including the whole of Mendicino country in California, nice buds grown there. It has brought down drug related crime levels in all of those countries. THINK!
I say take the 10 months and cut your losses. That’s discrimination against an herb.
DOMINICA NEED WORK, THAT’S WHY THE YOUNG FELLAS ARE RESORTING TO SELLING OF MARIJUANA. ….. WHICH YOUNG MAN IN DOMINICA LOOKING TO WORK CONSTRUCTION UNDER HOT SUN 8 HRS A DAY SEVEN DAYS A WEEK FOR $200.00. THAT’S SOME B.S. IF THE GOVERNMENT WANT ANY OF THESE DRUG ISSUES RESOLVED THEY NEED TO FIND A WAY TO CREATE JOBS FOR THE YOUNG PEOPLE. TOO MANY PARENTS WASTING MONEY SENDING THEIR CHILDREN TO COLLEGE AND WHEN THEY FINISH THEY CANT FIND A DECENT GOOD PAYING JOB. SOME CANT EVEN FIND A JOB PERIOD. GOVERNMENT OF DOMINICA TIGHTEN UP AND CREATE JOBS AND GOOD PAY!!
thats good that we are giving sentenceses as this for drugs but i realise that the rapes and muderers are getting less time and paying smaller fines . i want to no why. also those that cause bodly harm are almost getting away free
$30,000.00 or 10 month in jail. Ten month which is really 5 months plus a discount for good behaviour……..i taking my jail yah. Then again…that’s the type of sentences the Chief Magistrate gives. Even to me who has never studied law the sentence makes no sense.
do not pay no money and go to jail it is not you first