Diego man fined $3,000 for ganja

Kevin Persad, who is currently living in Tobago at Daniel Trace, Carnbee, near Lowlands, was ordered to pay the sum immediately or serve 60 days in jail with hard labour by Magistrate Annette McKenzie, after he admitted having the illegal herb when he appeared Monday in the Scarborough First Court. Persad told the court he had been living in Tobago for the past three years. According to prosecutor Cpl John Morrison, several officers were on mobile patrol along All Fields Trace North, in Lowlands, at about 3.45 pm, when Persad was observed walking along the road.

However when Persad spotted the approaching police vehicle, he hurriedly adopted a crouched position.

He was subsequently searched and a transparent plastic packet with the marijuana was found in his left pocket. He did not respond to the police query. Persad, however, told the magistrate, “I am sorry for my wrongdoing.

I spent the night (in custody) at the Old Grange Police Station and it made me realise my mistake; if you give me a chance you wouldn’t see me before you here again.”

“You would be very surprised at how many times I have heard that before,” the magistrate replied, as she imposed the fine.