Fire victim placed on bond for marijuana

His actions landed him in court and yesterday San Fernando Senior Magistrate Margaret Alert bonded him in the sum of $10,000 to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for the next two years.

Villafana, first appeared in court a few months ago and pleaded not guilty to the charge of marijuana possession.

When the case was called in the Fourth Court yesterday, he changed his plea to guilty.

Court prosecutor Sgt Parasan Ramsumair told the court that on May 26, at about 1.20pm while at Ramsaran Street, San Fernando, police searched Villafana and found 14 plastic packets of marijuana in his possession. The drug weighed 10.6 grammes. WPC Noel of the Marabella Police Station laid the charge.

Attorney Frank Gittens, who represented Villafana, told the court that last year December, his client’s home was destroyed by fire.

The attorney added that Villafana has four younger siblings and assured the magistrate that his client will have “no more run-ins with the law.” Addressing Villafana directly, Alert enquired why he had the marijuana.

He responded that he lost everything in the fire and was “looking to make some money”.

Alert placed him on the bond, and if he defaults, Villafana will serve seven months with hard labour in pri