Mom of five fined for cocaine

TWO persons were yesterday fined $1,500 each by San Fernando Magistrate Sonia Aleong. They both pleaded guilty to separate and unrelated charges of possession of cocaine and marijuana.

Judy Chance, 34, a mother of five, was fined by Aleong who presided over the Second Court. Also being fined by Aleong, was Sterlin Harrison. Chance pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of 0.5 grammes of cocaine. The incident occurred on October 12, 2000. Prosecuting officer Cpl Joey Samaroo told the court that around 9 am on the said day, police executed a search warrant at 239 Southern Main Road, La Romain. During a search of Chance’s apartment located on the southern side of the building, the officers including the complainant PC Lee, found the cocaine hidden inside a match box, in one of the bedrooms of the apartment. Chance was arrested and taken to the San Fernando police station, where she was charged. Her attorney Frank Arthur Seepersad, blamed “financial constraints” which caused his client to become frustrated and use the drug. He also blamed the general area where Chance lived, for influencing her decision to take the drug. Seepersad added that the cocaine was not used for trafficking and since her arrest, Chance had not used drugs.

Magistrate Aleong ordered Chance to pay $500 forthwith and the remaining $1,000 by July 27. Failure to do so, the magistrate warned, would lead to three months imprisonment. Harrison, 27, of Pleasantville was fined $1,500 for possession of  ten grammes of marijuana. The  charge was laid indictably and Harrison pleaded guilty. According to Cpl Samaroo, around 11.15 pm Friday last, police were on patrol at Blitz Village, Pleasantville, they not-iced the defendant looked at the  police vehicle and quickly placed his right hand into the front right pocket of his pants. The suspicious officers, including the complainant PC Persad, searched Harrison and discovered in the right pocket, five foils with the herbs. Harrison was ordered to pay $500 forthwith and the remaining $1,000 by July 25, or else he would be jailed for three months.