Residents Fined in Drug-Related Court Cases

On Wednesday, two residents were fined after being convicted of drug-related offenses.

The hearings took place in the magistrate’s court and were presided over by Senior Magistrate Ngaio Emanuel.

Rondre Robinson from Swetes was found guilty of possessing 145.5 grams of cannabis, a violation of the Misuse of Drugs Act.

His arrest occurred on January 8, 2025, at Sea View Farm, where authorities discovered the illegal substance in his possession.

In light of the circumstances, including Robinson’s two prior convictions for similar offenses, Magistrate Emanuel imposed a substantial fine of $30,000.00. He has been given an 18-month period to pay this amount, failing which he would face a two-year jail term.

Another case involved Okive Banton, a Jamaican resident of Golden Grove Extension. Banton was also in possession of cannabis, specifically 1.25 pounds, which was found during a search at Paynters.

Although he was reprimanded and discharged for the possession charge, he was convicted of possession with intent to sell.

The magistrate ordered him to pay a $40,000.00 fine within two years or serve a two-year prison sentence.

Additionally, authorities confiscated Banton’s cash totaling EC $2,160.00 and US $20.00, which the magistrate directed to be forfeited to the state. The cannabis seized will also be destroyed as part of the court’s ruling.