British national fined for marijuana

Not the actual marijuana
Not the actual marijuana

A British national, who resides at Fond Cole, was fined $600 for possession of marijuana when she appeared in court on July 28, 2014.

Rosaline Joseph was ordered to pay that fine by August 1, or spend two months in prison if she fails to do so.

According to reports, Joseph was at the Wood Bridge Bay Port in Fond Cole clearing some items on July 25, 2014, when she aroused suspicion.

The police were informed, her bag was searched and the illegal substance was found.

When cautioned Joseph said, “The marijuana it is mine and I am wrong.”

She was told that it was an offense to have marijuana in her possession.

“I put it in my bag and I forgot it was there. This will never happen again,” she said.

She was then transported to the Roseau Police Station.

In court her attorney, Darius Jones that his client forgot the marijuana in her bag.

“She never denied it wasn’t hers and she recognized her transgression,” he said.

He also begged of the court to take into consideration that his client have suffered a part of punishment by being in police custody.

Before sentencing Chief Magistrate Candia Carrette-George said she took into consideration that Joseph pleaded guilty and did not waste the court’s time.

“Still marijuana remains illegal,” she said.

Joseph has no previous convictions.

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31 Comments

  1. Juan
    August 1, 2014

    Move to Colorado USA you can grow as much and smoke as much as you like. You can smoke till you pass out in front of the police they probably smoke it too.

  2. Dyco
    July 31, 2014

    What i want to know is how she aroused suspicion…

  3. Anonymous
    July 30, 2014

    The government money maker.

  4. bougla
    July 30, 2014

    decriminilisation is coming!

  5. .
    July 30, 2014

    It was one joint. She could have bought a full bottle of rum and it would be no problem. $600.00 for one joint this magistrate needs therapy.

  6. King Skerrit
    July 29, 2014

    25 mangoes that rottening on the ground= 6 months hard labour. Weed = pay your little fine and go. Aye Dominik :cry:

  7. >???
    July 29, 2014

    I don’t smoke don’t agree with it but people are free to drink and smoke if they like. But when someone is reporting the news they need to get it correct… Do the right thing… This was one Joint and in the UK that is for personal use there would not be a court appearance. So all you take note.. The Journalist from DNO needed to listen to the Case a lot better than she did and do a better Job :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

  8. July 29, 2014

    Oh well, damned if you do and damned if you do not. Life as we know it is not always in our favor.

  9. NKRUMAH KWAME
    July 29, 2014

    It would be more informative if the QUANTUM and the QUALITY of the herb were disclosed. Don’t you think?

  10. playboy
    July 29, 2014

    Time we realize stuff like this is just simple B.S.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  11. July 29, 2014

    Dominica justice system is a frigging joke,,,,judges ,judge while you are still in the position to judge,,,every thing has an end…

  12. derp
    July 29, 2014

    meanwhile police officers continue to blaze it up and break laws, like just the other day a policeman ran a stop mark

  13. magwasa
    July 29, 2014

    so because she is a British national then..am i the only one seeing that something is seriously wrong here..hmmm smfh

  14. Mr. Deligent
    July 29, 2014

    you forget it in your hand bag ,what kind of excuse is this. British national falling pray of the locals ,how stupid. The fine should have been $1,600.00 at least, what made her think she is above the law.Three months in a reform prison I say!

    • Anonymous
      July 29, 2014

      Shut up . At least she was honest to own up. So much stuff happening dominica that for u to mind MR. DELIGENT. DUMB DOMINICANS……

    • Dyco
      July 31, 2014

      I hope the life you live is a law abiding one. Mr di*ligent*

    • Anonymous
      August 1, 2014

      How as she above the law when she instantly owned up to possession?…..Sot!
      Read and understand…

  15. Anonymous
    July 29, 2014

    if she was in England she would be fined more or get sentence for 3 months haul allyou ar..

    • Stamos
      July 30, 2014

      Fool, in England one is not arrested for posession of weed over a certain quantity (for personal use).

      • no name
        July 31, 2014

        You do not get arrested or fined but you get cautioned which goes on your record

    • brit lawyer
      July 30, 2014

      lol lol lol…. born n bred Dominican Brit….. in England having that substance on you is not illegal. with such a small amount you get a caution if found out in public. so look up the law before you make stupid comments.

  16. DA Native in Texas
    July 29, 2014

    That’s exactly my problem with this so called justice system that we have in DA. While I do not smoke not even cigarettes nor weed, neither do I condone the use of them, it’s appalling at some of the fines given to people caught with weed. Yesterday I read on DNO that a large amount of jewelry disappeared from CUSTOMS belonging to a legal business, and up to now they can’t tell the people what happened to the jewelry. Give me a break…I think they know what happened to it.

  17. zagayan
    July 29, 2014

    Free up the damn woman. Why make the woman a criminal for a little weed? So much damage alcohol does and it legal.

  18. Poor Malaway
    July 29, 2014

    This is yet another example that in Dominica all are not created equal. I know of several cases where people have been fined ridiculously large sums for the same crime–some of these stories have even been published on D.N.O– but this lady gets charged $600.

    But in the words of Buju Banton– Better must come!

  19. Sout Man
    July 29, 2014

    How much ganja was it? While I am in favor of decriminalizing possession of ganja, I must comment on the unequal treatment locals receive from Judge Candia George. Karen Nicole Charles, a young mother from Grand Bay, was fined $10 000.00 for a few grams. She did not waste the court’s time and it was her first offence. All kinds of “intent” charges were added on. Your unequal treatment, Judge Candia George, and your system of injustice will not prevail forever. One day, you too will be judged! Remember that!

    • Jayson
      July 29, 2014

      You seem to have a very ‘convenient ‘ memory.

      Even though I personally believe all these ganja cases are wasting the court and our law enforcements resources it doesn’t give you the excuse to speak untruths.

      Karen Nicole Charles had almost HALF A KILO of weed. (more than a few grams)

      Karen Nicole Charles PLEADED GUILTY to ‘intent to supply’. (more than just possession)

      Magistrate Evelina Baptiste carried out the sentencing. ( not Carrette-George).

      Facts are stubborn things…

      • Annon
        July 30, 2014

        Tomato/tomatoe..six/half dozen, either one of them know it’s a rediculous law and judges can use descetion in these cases. His point well taken, he is just trying to expose the rediculousness going on. Keep it real, marijuana is no longer this big deal judge.

    • July 29, 2014

      I share your sentiments. there was no mention of the amount of ganga found. At the same time this is a clasic example of how Dominicans always throw their own people under the bus while they uphold strangers

  20. Anthony Ismael
    July 29, 2014

    A waste of freaking time. Murders are set free, but we waste the court’s time on marijuana. I’m starting the campaign for decriminalization of marijuana in Dominica.

    • CYRIL VOLNEY
      July 29, 2014

      I endorse your campaign!

    • Joe
      August 2, 2014

      ditto! I support this , but I will hide and connive and not show my face or appear personally like Colorado people as being in support. But I wish your campaign well, if u catch the sarcasm.

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