By LEANDRA ROLLE
Tribune Staff Reporter
lrolle@tribunemedia.net
A 39-year-old man was fined nearly $1,000 yesterday after police found him with a quantity of marijuana and cocaine last week.
Andy Johnson, 38, pleaded guilty to three counts of possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply after he was found with three grams of cocaine and over one ounce of marijuana at a farmer’s market on February 4.
The Crown prosecutor told the court police found the drugs while conducting routine surveillance at the market.
They had observed Johnson conducting suspicious transactions with different individuals, which included handing over baggies with silver foil wraps.
As officers approached the accused, they saw him throwing three silver foil wraps to the ground, which were suspected of containing marijuana.
A further search in the surrounding area resulted in the discovery of 20 silver foil wrappings containing suspected marijuana and an additional three silver wraps, containing three grams of suspected cocaine.
Police said over $40 was also seized from the accused, who was arrested and taken into police custody.
The court was told that during his interview with police, Johnson declined to answer the questions put to him.
During yesterday’s hearing before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt, Johnson’s attorney, Alfred Gray, told the court that while the offences were quite serious, he didn’t believe the drugs found were a large amount.
He also told the court that his client, who was remorseful for his actions, committed the act out of desperation.
“It was a poor man’s attempt to survive,” Mr Gray said, asking the court for leniency.
In response, Magistrate Ferguson-Pratt told Johnson even though times are tough right now, he could have resorted to other means to make an honest living.
She also noted it would have been better if he sold fruit like many other Bahamians as opposed to selling drugs.
As a result, he was fined $400 or three months in prison on the first count of drug possession, $300 or three months on the second count and $250 or three months on the last charge.
Laphanza Riley, 47, also appeared in court charged with possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply.
Riley was arrested after police reported that they found him with $1,500 worth of marijuana on February 6.
The court was told that officers were in the area of Carmichael Road when they observed Riley acting in a suspicious manner.
Officers said while searching Riley, they found 40 silver wrappings along with three clear plastic bags, all containing suspected marijuana.
During his interview with police, Riley admitted to possessing the drugs, but insisted they were not his.
At yesterday’s hearing, the accused echoed similar sentiments, saying he was only holding the drugs for someone.
As a result, he was fined $2,000 or eight months in prison and the case was adjourned to April 25.
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