12 months jail for ‘coke’

AFTER changing his plea from not guilty to guilty for possession of cocaine, 23-year-old Derek Persad was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment with hard labour.

The sentence was passed by Magistrate Sonia Aleong in the San Fernando Second Court. Cpl Joey Samaroo prosecuted the matter and told the court that Persad was arrested on Union Road, Marabella, on November 7. At the time, PC Clint Williams along with other officers were patrolling the area when they noticed the defendant acting suspiciously and approached  him.

While searching the defendant, the police found a quantity of cocaine wrapped in foil paper. When Persad first appeared in court, he pleaded not guilty to the charge and the case was adjourned. But on his reappearance, he changed his plea and admitted having the drugs. Persad explained that he changed his plea since he did not want to waste the court’s time. The magistrate also did not waste time and sentenced Persad, who has four previous convictions, to 12 months imprisonment.