Magistrate Pearl Williams has jailed Jamaican national Ralph James after he pleaded guilty to a charge of trafficking a controlled drug, namely marijuana.
He was arrested, along with two other foreign nationals, on a boat off the coast of Dominica with the illegal substance worth close to half a million Eastern Caribbean dollars. They appeared in court on Friday, August 5.
James was jailed for two years and additionally fine EC$80,000 to be paid by November 5th, 2017 or in default six months in jail to run consecutively with the two-year jail sentence.
James, 57, was arrested by members of the Coast Guard Marine Unit along with Vincentians, Alwin Lawrence and Jeffery Stapleton, on a boat about a quarter mile off the coast of Scotts Head on July 28, 2016 at around 1:00 pm.
He told the police that he was the captain of the boat and was going to Antigua but was forced to Dominica because of engine problems.
The boat was towed by the police and search and 11 crocus bags and one plastic bag of the marijuana was found in its bow. The drug has an estimated street value of EC$419,000.00.
The prosecution, led by Inspector Valda Powell, then withdrew charges against the two Vincentians and they have since been released into the custody of immigration to be repatriated to St. Vincent. Powell ask the court to seize the vessel.
Tiyani Behanzin and Joshua Francis represented the men.
In his mitigation plea for James, Behanzin told the court that his client was remorseful and asked the court to be “merciful on him” since he was suffering from hypertension and diabetes.
The drugs, he said was of “low grade and was not of the value given.”
He said the value was about $300,000 and that based on his experience and knowledge as a lawyer and on the Bench he could speak as “an expert” and say the drugs was “low grade”.
But Magistrate Williams cautioned him and told him that he “was not an expert” in that field.
She also ordered that the boat be seized and the drugs destroyed.
only the dcan got charged ,i wondering if the police themselves feeling good about that .those two men should have been sent to jail also and face the same time as him.they were all in the game as they say it..no matter what lawyer they may have had i think they should by right been charged live some money in DCA we need it……………
Wow, that’s good to send them a message to grow local. Our soil is one of the best.
Bambu c lat mon de boat stall in de water , what a dilemma dump de weed mon , in de water mon dem pte Michel people will pick it up cus there is no police patrol in pte michel
On What grounds were the charges against the Vincentians were withdrawn? Just a point of interest.
Meaning it’s decriminalized in Vincy. Gonzales bats for his people on something so harmless. The judge has great sense of humility.
Where is his pic? If it was a local see how fast allu would go and find one on their facebook page. Please post a photo make him an example to the others out there who plan on doing the same.
That is pure théatre. lORD, where are we going?
Deport him after he do his time, we have enough of our own problem and doesn’t want others making things worse.
After he do his time send his backside home, we don’t need anymore of others crape, we have enough of our own.
At 57 years mister still offending ? what next
Jail him for what reason to put more expense on the tax payers fine him and send him on his merry way he already goin to jail for two so what is six months added to that he isnt goi to pay all tht money to get out six month before , they need to start fining these ppl takin the money they have and grow the country instead of puttin moe expense on the tax payers of dominica because after all os said and down he will go back to his country where he has all his money .
The article should have been more accurate about what the Attorney said, I was in the Court, what the Attorney said was that the value given to the drugs was objected to by defence whoes team included Joshua Francis, mostly Behanzin, who gave a lengthy detailed submission on sentence, he explained that there is no information on the quality of the drug, which is what determines price on the street if the prosecution submit a value, he also noted that the officer is not an expert and have not given any certification for his authority to suggest a street value. The value calculation is an American calculation and has no jurisdiction in our system, but we do not have a standard. When the prosecutor, who was out of her depth, with Behanzin , said that the officer is an expert based on his experience and knowledge, then Behanzin said by the prosecution’s own submission, he to has experience and extensive knowledge. The court seem to be bias, so the magistrate was warned to be careful,
2 years only and the rest set free,,,, ok then
I do not believe that bogus lie that they were forced to go to Dominica because of engine problems. What if they were not caught? If not, some of their loot, if not all would have been distributed and sold in Dominica. Someone or some people were awaiting them.
Good job Drug Squad!
If the Vincentians had a passport, I hope they were stamped, “Deported.”
What is the difference in the exorbitant amount of the street value? Not much.
Behanzin, you are a lawyer. Know your career and what it is all about. You did not take a course in drugs or drug trafficking and the cost of drugs.
Magistrate Williams is correct to inform you, “You are not an expert in that field.”
Prison officials, keep your eyes on this Jamaican that he may not as much as try to escape. Keep a close tab on his calls, both inside and from outside prison, the latter, those who may contact him.
As always, nonesense you spewing. The stuff is legal right in your backyard in Toronto, they would have all gone free. Doe come so, Stay over there.
I guess as it’s illegal and maybe owned by some big man in St.Vincent or Jamaica them man was afraid to throw it out board. Better to be arrested with the weed than the escape and have to tell the boss man you had to dump it because you had engine problems and coastguard found you. You know the boss not going to believe you,chances are you will be killed as the boss will think you stole the weed…. So much risk and no guarantees… Stop take chances people’s….
iyani Behanzin and Joshua Francis represented the men.
In his mitigation plea for James, Behanzin told the court that his client was remorseful and asked the court to be “merciful on him” since he was suffering from hypertension and diabetes.
The drugs, he said was of “low grade and was not of the value given.”
He said the value was about $300,000 and that based on his experience and knowledge as a lawyer and on the Bench he could speak as “an expert” and say the drugs was “low grade”.
But Magistrate Williams cautioned him and told him that he “was not an expert” in that field.
She also ordered that the boat be seized and the drugs destroyed.
ANYWAY U CUT IT IS ALL ABOUT$ SEE WHO REPRESENTING EM? ONE FORMER DLP AND ON FORMER UWP.
THE JOKE IS ON Behanzin 300K 400 K WHAT’S THE DIF? LOL
That’s my girl. He is not an expert so how does he want to give evidence from the Bar Table? It is trite law that Counsel CANNOT give evidence from the Bar Table. Next time let them take the stand so they can be cross-examined! Bravo. Proud of you!
destroyed on the ghetto streets through out the country
This is likely to bring forth another collective howl from marijuana suckers and sellers that the penalty was too stiff for a marijuana charge, along with more pleas to “legalize the weed”.
The Coast Guard did a great job by spotting this boat and bringing these men to justice.
Magistrate Williams showed good principles by upholding the law and handing down a sentence – which may be unpopular – but sent out a no nonsense message. And BRAVO for the way she cautioned defence
Tiyani Behanzin when he claimed to be an expert on marijuana, and she refused to be broken up by the plea that the accused was “remorseful” (who wouldn’t be?), and he suffers from hypertension and diabetes. Just see that he gets his “meds” while he is in jail, and let his conditions be monitored by a health care professional.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist. (Diploma in Drug Studies)
Donald your id10tic venom as usual. Keep your opinion where you voted for the people who pretty much legalized it in Canada. Pure nonesense.
(1) I did not vote for the people who legalized it in Canada.
(2) I cannot keep my opinion in Canada. I am an international evangelist. My job is to take this message literally around the world by crusade services, literature, CDs. DVDs, and the INTERNET.
(3) You said my comment was “pure nonsense” but you did not show me the error in one single statement I made. If I was wrong why did you not show me where I was wrong and give me the
evidence? That is something I could work with.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill.
(4) I am not afraid to identify myself. My writings have been published in over 40 newspapers and magazines in both Canada and the U.S.A. I have preached on Canadian and American radio, and hosted my own weekly radio show in Canada for two years. I’ve preached on Canadian T.V. Why is it you don’t use your name?
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill.
This is a slap on the hand. This man is one of the biggest drug trafickers in the region.
Please read the following!
http://www.bviplatinum.com/news.php?articleId=1352115250
Exactly…….I was waiting to see who would pick that up!!!
Sad this sentence was wrong and will be appealed as the magistrate jailed the convicted man for two years and fined, this will be appealed, you must o ly fine someone or send them to prison, not both!
You see why Behanzin contract was not renew as a magistrate
Pearl Williams I could kiss you right now doing what others scared to do
No slap on the wrist beat them down
They should have charged this guy $500,000 and let him go (after he paid his fine). By the time he finishes his sentence, we will have spent $80,000 feeding and housing him.
Irony here, isn’t Tiyani the same that finned people lots of money and jail for same marijuana as if is a country they try to overthrow?
D’a needs to face reality and legalize it so our people won’t have to take such risks of life bringing the herb in, there would be no need to import. Our soil creates a very nice high grade that aids with meditation. Good for the soul.
Hmm, that THC (tetrahydrocannabinole) seems to have cooked your brain already pal
That’s tetrahydrocannabinol. What u been smoking is mixed with something that fried your brain already eh