The Tribune

By FARRAH JOHNSON

fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

SEVERAL people were given fines or community service after being arraigned for separate incidents of drug possession in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Opara Williams, 40, appeared before Magistrate Kara Turnquest-Deveaux charged with possession of dangerous drugs with the intent to supply and simple possession, after officers found 10 grams of cocaine and one gram of Indian hemp at his residence on June 1. He pleaded guilty in court yesterday and was fined $500 or six months at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services for count one and another $150 or three months at BDCS for count two.

Prosecutor Claudette McKenzie told the court when officers searched Williams’ residence that day, they found a clear plastic bag with a number of brown paper wraps containing a white powdery substance in a closet of one of the bedrooms. She also said the officers found black plastic wraps containing suspected marijuana. Williams was subsequently arrested and taken to the East Street South Police Station, where he admitted to the offence in an interview with police. At the time, he told officers that he bought the cocaine for $150 and the marijuana for $5. When given an opportunity to speak, Williams told the magistrate that he had an addiction to marijuana and cocaine that he was trying to fight. He claimed that he had already been to counselling to help him overcome his bad habits, but had fallen back into his old ways.

Jameiko Mackey, 23, also appeared before Magistrate Turnquest-Deveaux after he was found with eight and a half ounces of Indian hemp on May 26. He pleaded guilty and was fined $750 or six months in prison. Prosecutor McKenzie said that day, officers, acting on information, proceeded to a residence on Jubilee Drive armed with a search warrant.

Upon their arrival, the officers observed Mackey running from the residence with a white bag. The police then gave chase and followed the defendant through a track road where they saw him throw the bag, before falling down. Inspector McKenzie said when the officers caught Mackey, they took him back to the area where he threw the bag. When the officers found it, they discovered a quantity of suspected marijuana inside of it. During the hearing, Mackey was represented by attorney Ian Cargill. He told the magistrate his client was a father of two who was self-employed as a Jet Ski operator. He also noted that Mackey had bought the drugs for personal use.

Delvon Williams, 18, was charged with simple possession after officers found three grams of Indian hemp in his trouser pockets on May 29. He pleaded guilty and was ordered to complete 50 hours of community service. If he fails to do so, Williams will spend one month at BDCS. Prosecutor McKenzie said around 4.45pm that day, officers on mobile patrol on Cox and Rahming Streets observed three males standing on the side of the road. Inspector McKenzie said when the men saw the police, they began to act in a suspicious manner, which prompted the officers to approach the men and search them. During the search, the officers found a clear plastic bag containing suspected marijuana in Williams’ front pocket. The drugs had an estimated street value of $15. During the hearing, Williams was represented by attorney Bernard Ferguson. He told the magistrate his client was “extremely remorseful” for his actions. He also noted that Williams had an “unblemished record” to date and asked Magistrate Turnquest-Deveaux not to impose a custodial sentence.

Another teenager, Dandray Bethel, 19, was charged after officers found 21 grams of Indian hemp at his residence on May 28. He pleaded guilty and was ordered to complete 75 hours of community service. If he fails to do so, Bethel will spend one month in prison. Prosecutor McKenzie said when officers searched Bethel’s residence that day, they found a Ziploc bag underneath a stack of brown plywood in the backyard. The drugs had an estimated street value of $105. During the hearing, Bethel was represented by attorney Jomo Campbell. He told the magistrate that his client did not waste the court’s time by pleading guilty immediately, and asked her to note his young age.

Neil Ferguson, 44, was charged after officers found 12 grams of Indian hemp at his residence on May 29. He pleaded guilty and was fined $150 or one month at BDCS.

Normaneka Sands, 25, also pleaded guilty to simple possession after she was found with one gram of Indian hemp on May 27. Prosecutor McKenzie said around 10.10pm that night, officers on foot patrol on Parliament Street observed a yellow vehicle travelling north. Inspector McKenzie said when the driver saw the police, she began to act suspicious. As a result, the officers beckoned the car to stop and asked Sands if she had anything illegal in her car. In response, Sands handed the officers a silver foil wrap. During the hearing, Sands was ordered to complete 50 hours of community service or one month in prison.