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$500 marijuana fine - or go to jail

By FARRAH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

A 27-year-old man caught with $120 worth of marijuana must pay $500 to avoid two months in prison.

Police arrested Devaron Palmer after they found 1.58 ounces of Indian hemp in his car on October 31.

He pleaded guilty to one count of simple possession during his arraignment before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt.

The prosecution said around 12.30am on the day in question, officers in the East Street area observed Palmer sitting in a vehicle and acting suspiciously. As a result, they approached the accused and informed him that he would be searched for dangerous drugs and firearms. During their investigation, officers found seven packages of marijuana in Palmer’s car. He was subsequently arrested and taken to the Drug Enforcement Unit, where he admitted to the offence in an interview with police.

Yesterday, his attorney noted that the drug charge was his client’s first offence. He also said Palmer pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity because he did not want to waste the court’s time.

After listening to his plea in mitigation, Magistrate Ferguson-Pratt accepted Palmer’s guilty plea and fined him $500 or eight weeks in prison.

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