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11 Grams of Cannabis Lands Tourist in Legal Trouble
An American visitor learned a costly lesson when he was arrested and fined for attempting to bring cannabis into the country through airport customs.
Shamane Alphonso Bayley-Richards, 31, found himself in legal trouble after customs officers discovered 11 grams of marijuana in his luggage upon arrival on an American Airlines flight on October 28.
The seized substance, valued at approximately $110 Eastern Caribbean dollars, triggered immediate legal proceedings.
During a hearing on Tuesday before Magistrate Ngaio Emanuel, Bayley-Richards admitted to importing a controlled substance. The court swiftly responded with a financial penalty, imposing a $1,000 fine.
A how come.
Was that a real fine or pocket change? $1000? For real?
Why didn’t the tourist recrive a “slap on the wrist”? After all, he can legally possess 15 grams on island.
Then.. the fine was almost 10 times the street value.
Why was the “book thrown at him”???
Now that fine was a bit excessive since it’s obvious the weed was for private consumption and not for resale. As someone else has pointed out one can legally possess up to 15 grams so I don’t see the big deal.