Ganja lands teen in jail for nine months

A TEENAGER, described by police as a “repeat offender,” who was arrested on Independence Day with a quantity of marijuana, was yesterday jailed for nine months with hard labour by a San Fernando magistrate. Eddison Crawford, 19, of Solomon Street in San Fernando, appeared before Second Court Magistrate Sonia Aleong and pleaded guilty of being in possession of 138 grammes of the illegal herb. The court heard that on Independence Day, San Fernando CID officers, led by Insp Brighton and including PCs Taylor, Smith and Harrysingh, were on mobile patrol along Solomon Street around 6 pm.

PC Taylor, who was in civilian clothing, observed the defendant standing at the side of the road holding a white plastic bag in his hand. Crawford looked in the direction of the police vehicle and began walking away. The action aroused the officers’ suspicions, and PC Taylor stopped and searched Crawford, whose white plastic bag was found to contain the marijuana. Crawford was arrested and, on being cautioned, was alleged to have said, “Officer give me a chance nah, is only a little bit.”

Attorney Ravi Gooljar pleaded for a fine instead of a custodial sentence for his client, saying the fact that Crawford had no money implied he was not trafficking the marijuana (which incurs the more severe charge of possession for the purpose of trafficking). However, court prosecutor acting Sgt Samaroo told the court Crawford had two previous convictions for possession of cocaine and larceny. On hearing this, the magistrate concurred with the prosecution and imposed a custodial sentence on Crawford.