By PAVEL BAILEY
Tribune Court Reporter
pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A JAMAICAN was sentenced to nine months in prison yesterday after admitting to smuggling marijuana into the country in cereal boxes.
Adrian Bennette, 34, of Kingston, represented by Alphonso Lewis, and Javon Rahming, 33, both stood before Magistrate Samuel McKinney.
They faced charges of importation of dangerous drugs, conspiracy to import dangerous drugs, conspiracy to possess dangerous drugs with intent to supply and possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply.
On January 16 in New Providence, it is said police stopped a vehicle occupied by both men for suspicious behaviour. Once officers opened the door, they recognised a strong aroma of marijuana and conducted a search of the vehicle. As a result, they uncovered 7.5lb of Indian hemp concealed in cereal boxes, which had an estimated street value of $15,000.
In a subsequent police interview, Bennette admitted having the drugs and bringing them into the country from the United States.
Bennette pleaded guilty while his co-accused pleaded not guilty.
In his plea of mitigation on Bennette’s behalf, Mr Lewis stated his remorseful client had no antecedents and had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity to spare the court’s time. Mr Lewis further indicated Bennette took responsibility for his actions from the onset and assisted police with their investigation.
The attorney also said the accused had only bought groceries from a friend in the US and he was unaware that drugs were inside until they arrived.
After saying Bennette has his sick mother in his care, Mr Lewis asked that the court be lenient by only imposing a fine rather than a custodial sentence.
Magistrate McKinney sentenced Bennette to nine months in prison and further imposed a fine of $500 at risk of an additional three months in custody.
The remaining accused, Rahming, was granted $7,500 bail with one or two sureties and informed that his trial date is set for February 21.
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