By FARRAH JOHNSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
fjohnson@tribunemedia.net
AN American tourist caught with cocaine he claimed he purchased from a local taxi driver must pay $500 to avoid spending three months in prison.
A second US citizen caught with marijuana she claimed she accidentally brought on vacation was also ordered to pay a fine.
Seth Buchman, 27, was arrested after US border agents found five grams of cocaine on him when they searched his luggage at Lynden Pindling International airport on September 21.
The court heard around 5.15pm that day, American custom officers called police to their secondary search area and pointed out the Arkansas native, before turning over a dairy supplement package with cocaine in it. The prosecution said the accused was then arrested and transported to a nearby station where he owned up to the offence. During his interview, he also told police he bought the drugs from a taxi cab driver.
Yesterday, Buchman told the magistrate he was sorry for his actions and insisted he would never do it again.
As a result, he was fined $500 or three months in prison.
Meanwhile, Natalie Solis was arrested after officers at LPIA found five grams of Indian hemp among her belongings on September 20.
During her arraignment, she pleaded guilty to one count of simple possession and told Magistrate Samuel McKinney she had purchased the marijuana in Las Vegas but had forgotten to take it out of her luggage before traveling to The Bahamas.
Solis, who hails from Dallas, Texas, was subsequently fined $400 or two months in prison.
In a separate matter, a couple who denied being in possession of Indian hemp were granted bail ahead of their trial.
Michael Adderley, 38, and Shadavia Newman,30, were accused of having 12 ounces of marijuana on September 13.
During the hearing, Adderley was further accused of deceiving two police officers.
They both denied the allegations brought against them and the matter was adjourned to November 8 for trial.
In the interim, the pair were each granted $3,500 bail.
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