By LEANDRA ROLLE
Tribune Staff Reporter
lrolle@tribunemedia.net
A 44-YEAR-OLD man was yesterday ordered to pay $400 to avoid spending two months behind bars after police found more than five ounces of marijuana in his home last year.
Alexander Coakley was charged with possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply after police found five and 5/8 ounces at his home on November 25.
The prosecutor told the court that sometime around 11pm officers armed with a search warrant went to a home in the Coconut Grove area where they met the accused.
Police conducted a search of the home and while searching the kitchen area, found a black backpack with packages containing suspected marijuana. The accused was arrested and taken into custody, where he told officers the drugs were for his personal use.
Coakley initially denied the offence during his first appearance before Magistrate McKinney, but changed his plea to guilty yesterday. In mitigation, his attorney told the court his client, a father-of-two, was extremely remorseful.
The attorney said Coakley had no previous convictions and was also gainfully employed.
After hearing the defence’s argument, Magistrate McKinney reduced the charge to simple possession which he said are “expungeable offences”. He also told the accused the court will not be so lenient next time should he reoffend.
He was fined $400 or two months in prison.
Tamiko Lewis, 27, was also charged with drug possession after he was caught with 1.5 ounces of marijuana on January 31.
After Lewis pleaded guilty to the charge, Magistrate McKinney asked him if he had any previous convictions. The defendant replied “no” but this was rejected by the Crown prosecutor, who informed the court that Lewis was convicted in 2019 on a similar offence.
Asked how he forgot the matter, the 27-year-old said: “I smoke too much drugs,” prompting laughter in the court.
As a result, he was also fined $400 and told failure to pay the fine would result in him spending two months at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.
Also appearing in court was Nicholas Johnson, 35, who is accused of being in possession of 44lbs of marijuana on January 31.
However, Johnson denied the offence during yesterday’s hearing and the matter was adjourned to March 28.
He was subsequently granted bail at $1,000 with two sureties and also ordered to report to the Cable Beach Police Station every Wednesday.
Commenting has been disabled for this item.