A man was sentenced in the District B Magistrate’s Court after a guilty plea for drug possession.

Rondre Robinson, a 21-year-old resident of Swetes, was found with over 140 grams of marijuana on January 8.

Magistrate Ngaio Emanuel handed down a hefty fine of $30,000, which Robinson must pay within 18 months to avoid a two-year prison term.

This wasn’t Robinson’s first encounter with the law; he previously faced similar charges and had another outstanding fine of $25,000 for cannabis possession.

Since he had not settled that debt, the magistrate allowed him an additional six-month extension to pay off the remaining $8,000 balance.

The incident that led to Robinson’s arrest unfolded around 8:40 PM when officers from the Special Service Unit and the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force were on patrol near Seaview Farm.

They noticed a vehicle parked near the Seaview Farm Primary School with two occupants who were not wearing seatbelts, along with a missing front license plate, raising their suspicions.

Upon approaching the vehicle, the officers asked for consent to search, which Robinson promptly granted.

During the search, law enforcement discovered five plastic bags containing cannabis.

Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Robinson accepted full responsibility for the drugs and was subsequently taken into custody.

With the total weight of the seized marijuana measured at 142.5 grams, its street value was estimated at $1,425.

Robinson, who works as a car washer, was represented in court by attorney Michael Archibald.

The court ordered that the confiscated drugs be destroyed as part of the sentencing process.